Bradninch batter Tim Piper, who did not hang about in the T20 win over Abbotskerswell<br>credit: https://www.ppauk.com/photo/1414483/

BRADNINCH breezed into the last eight of the Servicemaster Clean Devon T20 tournament after beating Abbotskerswell by seven wickets.

Charlie Dowling hit 12 fours and a six on his way to 84 in Abbotskerswell’s total of 140 for two.

Tim Piper – 60 not out off 29 balls – and Kian Burns (47no) were still there when Bradninch romped home in the 12th over.

It should have been a three-game festival with Torquay the third party, but they cried off due to team-raising issues.

Torquay can expect an invoice for £100 in the post over the next few days for breaking one of the competition rules by pulling out.

Richard StevensonDerrick Foan, the Bradninch chairman, said it was not just the financial loss to the club that was a disappointment.

“We tried to arrange for another club to join us and Abbotskerswell to offer a full day of cricket, but were in the end left with just one T20 match starting at noon against Abbotskerswell,” said Foan.

“They batted first and scored 140 for two, which we knocked off in 11.4 overs for the loss of three wickets 

It was a great performance, but just 31 overs cricket to entertain our supporters instead of 120.”

Richard Stevenson, who manages all T20 competitions on behalf of the Devon League, said he only learned Torquay were not travelling on the night before the game.

“I was only notified on Saturday evening by Torquay of their inability to field a side, which I found most disappointing and frustrating,” said Stevenson.

“We will debate this more fully at the up-and-coming league meeting, but the notice we have given clubs of the round-one completion date leaves me wondering what more we can do to get clubs to play in this prestigious competition other than consider potentially banning clubs for a period of time who are unable to fulfil the commitments of competitions having entered them.”

Torquay were in a difficult position raising a side for the game as they had players on county duty with Devon and a long-standing memorial game at the Recreation Ground to honour.