Thorverton put end to Bovey's winning run in last-over thriller

Thoverton captain Andy Pitt, who compiled a half-century in the win over Bovey Tracey 2nd XI

THORVERTON defeated Bovey Tracey 2nd XI by two runs to stay second in the table behind leaders Seaton.

Thors posted 217 for five in 45 overs with opener and captain Andy Pitt and Dave Baldock both making 50s.

Stand of the innings was one of 77 for the fourth wicket between Baldock and Shane Yelverton (44).

Will Denford (23) and Harry Choules (12) added 37 unbroken in the last six overs – valuable runs as it panned out.

Bovey bowlers Chris Yabsley (1-28) and Freddie Ford (1-21) bowled miserly nine-over spells.

Bovey were lagging behind at 38 for three – Yelverton (2-32) among the wickets – then started to gain ground as Tom Andrew (54) and Sam Russell (65) added 104 for the fourth wicket.

Bovey got down to the final five overs needing 32 to win with four wickets intact – and lost two to Nick Barton (2-44) in six balls.

Yabsley (21no) did his best, but 21 to win off the last two proved a couple too many and Bovey closed on 215 for one.

Skipper Pitt, whose two-for-28 off-spin kept the pressure on Bovey, said: It was a brilliant team effort to stay composed and make sure we defended the total.

“The top order set the tone really by getting a competitive total on a really tough pitch.

“We started the seconding innings really well but during the middle period we did drift and the partnership between Russell and Andrew put us under real pressure.

“Shane Yelverton and Ben Slaviero (2-43) came back on and bowled exceptionally well.

“Once we got a couple of wickets I think the game swung back in our favour albeit being a lot closer at the end than we would have wanted.”

Jeremy Christophers, the Bovey Tracey captain, said it was a game of fine margins that could have gone the other way.

Said Christophers: “As ever, with a narrow victory or defeat you can always look back and think 'what if?'

“In truth, we weren't Quite 'at it' enough this week.

“A predominantly young Bovey Tracey side – seven players aged 20 or below – put up a spirited fight and an excellent century sand between Tom Andrew and Sam Russell, kept the pot boiling right to the end.”

Asked to tip his top two at the end of the season, Christophers said: “We have played the top three sides in the division over the past few weeks and it’s looking like Seaton and Thorverton will be favourites to go up.”

THE pressure is on Chudleigh to get a result against basement team Brixham this Saturday to avoid trading places at the bottom of the B Division.

Chudleigh have only won three times in 10 starts and a 50-run loss at Kilmington last Saturday could not have come at a worse time as it allowed Brixham to close the gap on the by beating Ipplepen.

Chudleigh are only four points ahead of Brixham now and will slip behind them if they lose at Kate Brook on Saturday.

Consistency was the key for Kilmington with runs all the way down the order. Only one of the top 10 failed to make double figures in a total if 280 all out. Brett Garner (51), Josh Short (87) and Billy Reed (32) had the best of the scores.

 Veteran left-armer Derek Lammonby (2-34) was the pick of the Chudleigh bowlers.

Alex Haywood (67) and Will Heather (61) got Chudleigh to 101 for two and that should have been a platform to chase the rest. Only Dan Britcliffe (21) got past 20 from then on as Chudleigh slowed to 230 for eight. Ollie Reed took three for 37.

Losing captain Matt Heather said: “The Kilmington batters went after us from ball one and with some clean hitting got away from us quickly.

“We did well to take all 10 wickets.

“Batting wise, Will Heather and Alex Haywood batted really well and got us off to a good start.

“Then we lost regular wickets when we had momentum, which slowed down the chase.”

IPPLEPEN’S B Division promotion hopes are starting to fade after they lost by eight wickets to bottom side Brixham.

That’s three defeats on the trot now for Pens, who have only taken 15 points from 60 on offer and dropped down to sixth in the table.

The 36-point gap between Ipplepen and Thorverton in the second promotion place will be hard to wipe out in the five games left.

Pens recovered from 54 for four after losing Dave Harris (22) and Sam Wakeham (0) four balls apart to make 197 for seven. Callum Stanley made a patient 54 and there were useful chip-ins from Ben Forsey (32) and Seb Powell (20).

There were two wickets each for Brixham bowlers Lee Upham (2-32), Bradley McKee (2-8) and Dan Bullock (2-45).

Openers Tim Robinson (57) and Matt Edwards (43) gave Brixham a 120-run start. Marcus Gadie (2-46) dismissed both of them.

Dhanan Lakshan (48no) and captain Tom Hopper (22no) saw Brixham across the line with more than 11 overs in hand.

Ipplepen entertain Bovey Tracey 2nd XI this Saturday.

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