Abbots and Babbacombe set the pace in C Division West

ABBOTSKERSWELL stay out in front at the top of the C Division West thanks to a hefty 175-run win over visiting Chelston.

Abbots didn’t get away to the best of starts - Charlie Mitchell, Charlie Hill and Brett Williams all went cheaply – but the middle order soon sorted things out.

Steve Bowman (35) and Aron Owen (55) started the rebuilding job, then  Alex Birt blasted 97 as the score climbed towards 265 for nine.

Vivek Kulkarni, the former Bovey and South Devon all-rounder, took three for 45 early on and Chris Harrison claimed two for 57.

Paul Harding (0-24) kept the lid on for six overs – not bad for the soon to be 58-year-old former Devon spinner.

Chelston’s batting was never got out of first gear. They were all out for 90, of which 49 came in extras and Jason Parr made 24. Next best was last-man Harding with six.

Man of the match Birt had three for 19 and there were two wickets each for Riccardo Small-Boyce, Elliot Adams and Matt Beasant.

Abbots’ skipper Hill said ultimately it was a ‘comfortable’ win, but only thanks to Owen and Birt putting them in the driving seat..

“Aron steadied the ship after we lost three early wickets and Alex struck the ball well to up the tempo,” said Hill.

Small-Boyce struck at the start of the Chelston innings – ‘far too quick for their opener’ said Hill – and wickets fell steadily.

Abbots go to Whitchurch Wayfarers this Saturday. Abbots joined the league in 1980, Whitchurch arrived in 1985 and the teams have never met before.

“We are looking forward the game and hoping to push on and stake our claim for promotion,” said Hill.

BABBACOMBE remain hard behind second-placed Alphington after beating Bridestowe by five wickets.

Iraq Thomas (4-29) and skipper Steve Broad (3-13) gave Bridestowe little or no elbow room as Babbacombe bowled them out for 83 with 15 overs to go.

Ben Passmore – one for six in six overs – was almost umplayable at times and Bridestowe fared little better against Tim Goodwin or Damon Calland.

Thomas swept up at the end as Bridestowe lost their last four wickets for just one run.

Babbacombe didn’t have it their own way as openers Billy Allcock nd Tom Wood didn’t manage a run between them.

When Thomas was bowled by Sam Ewen (2-34), Babbacombe were 20 for three.

Mike Pugh (20) and Calland (13) moved the board along then Matt Inch hit 36 not out to wrap it up in the 27th over.

“Ben Passmore’s excellent opening spell of 1-6 off six overs set the tone,” said skipper Broad.

“Iraq cleaned the last three in one over with the score on 83 for each one.

“We were in trouble at 37 for five, but Calland and Inch saw us through.

“Matt Inch’s selective hitting was brilliant. He was the only batter on either side to play with any fluency.”

Babbacombe are away to Chagford this Saturday.

ELLIOT Bradbury produced a four-wicket haul to speed Kingsbridge towards a 14-run win over visiting Whithchurch.

Kings’ total of 153 all out – Julian Bertie top scoring on 51 – looked a bit below par.

Skipper James Westlake had opened up with 31, but at 67 for five his side needed a lift and got it from Bertie and Bradbury (10) in a stand of 53.

Billy Barriball (3-20) got among the lower order as Kings lost their last four wickets for 25 runs.

Whitchurch cruised along to 103 for two – Rob Bone (33) and Charlie Barriball (26) doing the business – the fell apart.

Bradbury took four for 18 as the middle order collapsed and with help from Bertie (2-18) Whitchurch were dismissed for 139.

Kingsbridge are away to Stoke Gabriel this Saturday.

CHAGFORD lost for the first time this season when the went down by four wickets at Plymouth CS&R.

Kenton Vos (32) was the only batter to make much of an impression as Chagford were bowled out for 138 – Simon Light bagging three for 16.

Vos took three for 17 to stop Civil running away with the game, but sensible batting from Ben Wilkinson (28), Rob Gaylard (38) and skipper James Sharpe (26) ensured there were no slip-ups.

Chagford skipper Del Lammonby will aim to get back on track at home to Babbacombe this Saturday.

ALPHINGTON handed out a 180-run hiding to Stoke Gabriel to show they mean business in this season’s promotion scramble.

Having just missed out on reaching the play-offs last season, Alphington want to go up automatically as champions this term.

And the return of Gareth James to an already strong set of players, may just tip the balance Alphington’s way.

James first played for the Alphas in 2007 after coming down from Cambridge University, where he played nine First Class games in the Centre of Excellence side.

James also played First Class cricket in Sri Lanka, one-day cricket for the Essex Cricket Board and Minor Counties matches for Suffolk.

These days the 34 year old is director of sport at Kelly College, Tavistock, which makes it easier for him to play club cricket for the same club as brother Paul.

And he showed more than just glimpses of his First Class form by caning the Stoke attack for a rapid 91.

With Mark Hulse making 112 in a stand of 190 for the first wicket with James, Alphington rattled along to 321 for six. Ashley Green (34) and Tom Bath (26) chipped in.

Dan Bullock’s three for 58 was the best of the bowling for Stoke.

Having been smashed round by one member of the James family, the other then took four for 32 to dismissed Stoke for 141.

On a good day for spinners there were three wickets for Stuart Shaw.

Alphington host Plymouth CS&R this Saturday afternoon.