IPPLEPEN maintained a firm hold on the C Division West leadership with a six-wicket win over Cornwood 2nd XI.
The Wood, last season’s runners up and serial ‘near-missers’ in the promotion scrap, posted a hefty 259 for six on the Moor Lane ground.
Ipplepen knocked off the runs with more than two overs to go to complete a ‘statement’ win. Four wins in four completed games is further evidence of Pens’ intent to bounce straight back after relegation last season.
There were runs right down the top seven for Cornwood, starting with the 69-run stand between Robin Dart (32) and Alex Robinson (33).
Either side of a fourth-wicket partnership worth 58 between Harry Woolway (37) and Chris Parker (43) were generous bits and pieces from Josh Brookes (22), Aaron Richards (29no) and Josh Goodliffe (25). Jamie Ingram and George Tapley took two wickets each for the Pens.
Man of the moment for the Pens was ‘Kiwigian’ Ingram, who laced the bowling for a second successive league ton (114). He went in at 10 for one and came out with the job just about done at 228 for four. Tobias Alsop (67no) and skipper Sam Wakeham (15no) applied the finishing touches.
Keeping the runs down was a challenge for the Cornwood bowlers, although Jason Hall (2-43) and Matt Puttock (0-35) made a decent attempt at it.
Robin Dart, the Cornwood captain, said there was no mystery why his side lost – and no reason to be too concerned either.
“I thought the only real difference was their guys going on and getting a score, whereas our guys just gotstarts,” said Dart.
“After getting a competitive total, we didn’t quite back it up with the ball and in the field.
“Also, we missed a couple half-chances, which may have changed things. But such is cricket. We were good but, unfortunately, second best on the day.”
ABBOTSKERSWELL won for the first time this season in the C Division West when they overcame South Devon by 42 runs in the derby date at Two Mile Oak.
Abbots’ total of 200 all out was constructed around three key knocks from Toby Codd (43), Brayden Notman (25) and Tom Heath, who compensated for a first-baller last time out with a top score of 61.
Josh Hammett (3-34) and fit-again captain Jonny Martin (2-33) took the bowling plaudits for South Devon.
South Devon’s top order ran into early difficulties against Alfie Harrison (2-50) and Notman (2-31). Jack Allen (28), Martin (29) and Richard Beaumont (19) stated pruning back the deficit. At 103 for five with 20 overs to go and Allen and Martin in residence, they had a chance.
The game got away from South Devon in the time it took slow spinner Will Small (5-32) to run through the lower order. Martin was last to go in a total of 158 all out.
CHUDLEIGH’S winning sequence in C West went out of the window when Kingsbridge thumped them by 119 runs at the Butts.
Freddie Ford’s second league ton of the season – 110 against Hatherleigh was the first – helped Town to 256 all out in the last of their 45 overs.
Opener Ford was sixth out on 198 having put on 123 with Richard Carr (48) for the first wicket before Chudleigh’s Will Heather (4-47) slowed things down.
Mark Halse and Luke Quaintance claimed three wickets each for Chudleigh.
Chudleigh’s hopes of a successful run chase evaporated in the time it took for them to slide from 55 for two to 64 for six. Halse made a top score of 29 and Jon Bubb was next best with 23 as they bowed out for 137.
There were two poles each for Flynn Taylor, Ford, Neal Peach and Bhanu DeSilva, who also ran out opener Mark Solway.
Kingsbridge now sit in second place, formerly filled by Chudleigh prior to this result.
HATHERLEIGH 2nd XI’s losing run in the C Division West got a game longer when they were beaten by four wickets at Paignton.
Four defeats on the reel have sent Hatherleigh to the foot of the table, where they have slipped behind previous cellar dwellers South Devon.
Hatherleigh recovered from a initial going over from James Wakeley (5-30) and Jacob Lander (3-31) to reach 162 all out. They were 40 for six before skipper Danny Forrester (66) and Jim Sibcy (28) hauled things round.
A three-wicket burst from opening bowler Charlie Bingham had Paignton on the rack at 14 for three in reply.
Paignton rebuilt under Sam Woodcock (33) and Carl McFarlane (66), then sprinted to victory with Max Pedley (38) leading the way.
PLYMOUTH 2nd XI moved on from their C West pasting at Kingsbridge with a resounding 100-run win over Brixham.
Half-centuries from John Kerridge, the in-form Andy Birkett and Alex Hill helped Plymouth tot-up 287 for five in a 45-over game.
Kerridge (73) and Birkett (89) put on 144 for the second wicket. Hill (57) put on 87 more with Birkett then Tom Hughes (20).
Birkett appeared on course for a ton when he was caught in the covers off a leading edge.
Bowling success was in short supply for Brixham, although Mo Shaikh’s one for 31 off nine stood-up well amidst some of the carnage at the other end.
Brixham were all out for 187 with no one making more than Tom Hopper (87). Best of the rest with 22 was Connor Bryan.
Sam Burns (3-43) claimed the prize wicket of professional Shaihk when he had him caught behind for a single.
Hopper, in at first wicket down, was involved in stands that added 151 to the total. After he was sixth out James Hulbert (3-37) and Melissa Banks (2-31) tidied up the tail.
