There was plenty of action across Division Three and the T20 competitions this week, with crucial victories shaping league tables and standout individual performances making the difference.
Division Three
Exmouth 2nds vs Bradninch & Kentisbeare
Exmouth welcomed Bradninch & Kentisbeare for their latest Division Three clash, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat first. Exmouth posted a competitive 168/7 from their 30 overs, led by Anna Higgins' 46. Amelie Watson finished unbeaten on 32, while Katelyn Hibell (18) and Adele Fulner (12) made useful contributions. Yvonne Jackson was the pick of the Bradninch bowlers, claiming three wickets.
Bradninch & Kentisbeare's reply was built around valuable contributions from Yvonne Jackson (37) and captain Meg Acton (41), while Jess Phillips (19*), Daisy Stein (11) and Fi Morgan (11) all helped keep the chase on track. The visitors reached their target to secure an important victory and move into second place in the Division Three table. Captain Meg Acton reflected on the game, “To summarise, we had another very enjoyable game on the coast, thanks to all the players and the club's hospitality.
From what started off on the backfoot for Bradninch, missing both our opening bowlers, then losing the toss, the run total was ultimately more than we would have ever liked to chase, but the team stepped up, got their heads down, focused and steadily pushed forward, giving the audience a game down to the wire! And clearly we were happy our persistence prevailed.”
Ottery St Mary vs Bovey Tracey
Bovey Tracey travelled to Ottery St Mary looking to extend their unbeaten Division Three campaign and, after winning the toss, elected to field first. Ottery posted 142/8 from their 30 overs, with Nell Gingell producing an excellent unbeaten 52. However, regular wickets prevented the hosts from building significant partnerships, as Beth Topping and Lily Driver both claimed two wickets.
Bovey's chase began with early setbacks as Amelie Webber (6) and Libby Hooper (10) were dismissed to leave the visitors 28/2. However, Olive McCauley (46) and Isabella Baker (43*) combined to steady the innings. Bovey claimed victory in the 24th over, preserving their unbeaten record at the top of the Division Three table.
T20 Trophy
Exmouth vs Plymouth
Exmouth welcomed Plymouth for their latest T20 Trophy fixture, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to field first. Plymouth lost just one wicket throughout their innings, with Molly Kerry dismissed for 19 before Lucy Hulbert (52*) and Melissa Banks (77*) shared an unbeaten 125-run partnership to power the visitors to 173/1.
Exmouth made a promising start to the chase through Sasha Gerrick (67) and Lucy Humphreys (16), who added 67 for the opening wicket before Humphreys was dismissed by Molly Kerry. Regular wickets slowed the scoring rate in the second half of the innings, and despite Gerrick's efforts, Exmouth finished 34 runs short as Plymouth moved to the top of the T20 Trophy table for the moment.
T20 Plate Group A
Plympton vs Cornwood
Plympton won the toss and elected to field first against Cornwood, making the perfect start by dismissing Imogen Garland with the opening delivery of the match. Cornwood struggled to recover, although Shini Al Khalid (18), Helly Simpson (26) and Hannah Bale (10) all made useful contributions before the visitors were bowled out for 79 in 15 overs. Evie Hampton starred with the ball, returning outstanding figures of 3-1-9-4.
Despite the modest target, Plympton lost three early wickets to give Cornwood hope. However, captain Maddie Turner anchored the chase with an excellent unbeaten 52, guiding her side to victory.
