Kilmington skipper praises Reed for unbeaten ton in win over Bovey Tracey | 'He batted superbly and I don’t believe he gave a chance away in his innings' – Brett Garner

Billy Reed on his way to an unbeaten century for Kilmington at Bovey Tracey

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

BILLY Read hit an unbeaten century as Kilmington condemned Bovey Tracey to a 77-run defeat on the Ashburton Road ground.

There were plenty of runs in the pitch as Tom Gooding and Reed proved during a stand of 147 for the third-wicket. 

Gooding finally departed for 69, but Read was still there are the end on 113 not out in a team total of 216 for five from 36 overs.

Bovey needed someone to bat time if they were going to chase. After a solid start from Derek Perry and Freddie Ford (25) wickets fell regularly to Matt Read (2-31), partnership breaker Gooding (2-1) and Rob Crabb (2-18).

Chris Yabsley (21) and Brad Causey (21) did put on 39 for the seventh wicket, but the damage had already been done by then.

Tim Boniface (3-29) took the last three wickets to fall as Bovey subsided from 125 for six to 139 all out.

Winning captain Brett Garner revealed that Billy Read went into the game short of batting practise

“He batted superbly and I don’t believe he gave a chance away in his innings,” said Garner.

“What’s more the fact that he had not netted ahead of the game certainly shows the talent he has in his locker!

“I feel he can have a massive influence on our season, he surely will if keeps that form up between now and the end of August.”

As for the next 17 matches which will complete the 2021 Kilmington league campaign, the skipper said: “I do think that this season the division is particularly strong, but we will take each game as it comes.

“We genuinely do not fear anyone and believe in our own abilities, if we perform week in week out we can be up there and certainly amongst the top four teams in the section with good and consistent availability the key.

“Availability has been the big issue in recent campaigns and I do hope this season it’s not the big talking point for us.”

IPPLEPEN had too much firepower for Dartington & Totnes in every department as they cantered to a nine-wicket win in the B Division derby.

Skipper Jono Colegate (22) made one of only three double-figure scores for D&T – Joe Parker and Chris Cook had the others – in a below-par total of 81 all out.

George Tapley bowled four successive maidens down the hill with the new ball and Tom Durman only conceded eight runs in a seven-over spell as D&T managed just six runs off the bat after 12 overs.

Spinner and captain Ash Harvey (4-11) got into the middle order, which left Neil Hancock to fire out the stragglers on his way to a cheeky three for 13.

Ipplepen appeared on course for a 10-wicket win at 76 for none with Tom Durman on 26 not out and Marcus Gadie unbeaten on 28.Tom Durman bowling for Ipplepen against Dartington & Totnes | Conrad Sutcliffe

Gadie holed out to Tyler Walton looking to win it with a six, but there were no other dramas as Durman and Mawgan Penrice (2no) joined up the dots.

Winning skipper Harvey said: “I'm sure there will be tougher games ahead but it was a good win to start.

“I was pleased with the intensity and it was great to get a game in with rain about.”

HEATHCOAT 2nd XI were on the wrong end of a 53-run outcome when they took on Chudleigh.

Chudleigh mustered 155 for six in a game reduced to 33 overs a side, which represented a serious recovery from 37 for four after an early going over from Christian Cabburn (2-24).

Adam Kent, a recent recruit from Abbotskerswell, stuck around to make 19 in support of Ed Foreman, whose 71 not out coming in at six gave Chudleigh something to defend.

Heathcoat’s problem was failing to bat in partnerships, always difficult when wickets fall at regular intervals. Their best was 35 for the third wicket between Lee Dixon (28) and limpet-like Finn Stoneman (17 off 57 balls).

Chudleigh skipper Will Heather’s quick bowling accounted for three Heathcoat batters and with two each for Kam Singh and Rob Clarke the visitors were all out for 102.

Heather was keen to share the credit around in his post-match summing up.

“Ed Foreman was our stand out with the bat on a difficult rain-effected pitch and did really well to hold the innings together,” said Heather. 

“Mark Russell and Kam Singh started really well with the ball and really restricted their run chase.
“Our fielding was exceptional in difficult conditions with on-off rain. 

“Even with dropping a few difficult chances, we still restricted Heathcoat to just over 100. That shows how tightly we bowled and it could have been even fewer.”

BIDEFORD routed Plymstock by nine wickets after rolling them over for 124 in the B Division curtain raiser at Westward Ho!

Plymstock’s front five only managed exactly 29 between them – and opener Josh Sumner made 22 of those runs. Alex Hannam (2-45) and Steve Bond (3-22) were the bowlers who did the damage.

Adam Stevenson (38) started a Plymstock fightback and with Tom Mitch took the score from 36 for five to 69 for six.

Bideford’s dad-and-lad bowling combination of James Ford (3-36) and Jack Ford (1-19 off six) inspired a second slump, which ended when tail-enders Billy Gibson (20no) and Max Thomas (15) put on 25 for the last wicket.

Bideford were always in the driving seat after openers James Hayter (42no) and Tom Brend (40) wiped-off 67 of the runs needed.

Jack Ford (35no) was in at the end with Hayter when the winning post was passed.

Winning captain Hannam said it was a high-quality start to the season.

“We bowled and fielded really tightly on what was a very good track,” said Hannam.

“Steve bond was class with the new ball and the spinners backed him up well. 

“Our young lads at the top of the order were really composed chasing what could've been a tricky total.”

James Nicholls, the Plymstock captain, gave his frontline batters a kick up the backside in the wake of the drubbing.

Nicholls said although there were some mitigating factors in the field, Plymstock cannot expect to win too many games defending low totals.

“We bowled really well early on and with a bit of luck and some dropped chances could have made a game of it,” said Nicholls.

“Batting wise it's pretty obvious” our top order needs more than 30 rums between the first five. 

“Our lower order showed our depth and we know what we need to do, so on to next week.”

THE game between Ivybridge and Thorverton was called off due to the wet ground conditions at Filham Park.