ASHBURTON charge on at the top of the C Division West after crushing Brixham by 155 runs at Boundary Park.
That’s three wins in as many starts for Ashburton – and not a dropped point in sight – as well as a nascent eight-point lead over Ivybridge.
Ivybridge were dead level with Ashburton going into round three of 18, but lost points as their derby date with Cornwood 2nd XI was a weather casualty.
Cornwood have an immediate opportunity to do something about that eight-point gap as the visit Varwell Field this Saturday.
Vaibhav Sheth was the only one of Ashburton’s top five to miss out in a running total of 149 for four. Steve Edmonds (22), George Yabsley (38), Ashley Berry (58) and skipper Lloyd White all dipped their bread in the bowling gravy.
After a brief lull there were top-up runs from Harry Bannister (16), Toby Pascoe (19) and Jack Warren (17) that helped Ashburton reach 236 for seven.
“The platform set by Edmonds, Yabsley and Berry meant our middle to lower order had a licence to play with freedom,” said White.
“Our young pups – Bannister, Pascoe and Warren – all played great cameos to add another 60 at the end, which gave us great momentum at tea.”
Brixham, currently suffering availability issues and a lack of form, were all out for 81. There were three wickets each for Matt Coon (3-13) and Sheth (3-24). Matt Churchill had a couple with the new ball.
Gangul Silva (27) and Mike Barron (13) were the only Brixham batters to get past 10.
“We bowled and fielded with great discipline and gave very little away, which allowed us to build pressure from the off,” said White.
“Really pleased with the start we have had, but we must continue to build on that.”
SOUTH Devon were brought back down to earth after their eight-wicket win over Yelverton by a 94-run pasting away at Kingsbridge.
Kingsbridge got to 52 without loss thanks to Jack Brown, James Fletcher (23) and a generous helping of extras, then collapsed to 56 for four. Jonny Martin (5-29) and Toby Goodman (4-24) were responsible.
Alex Browne (32no from 83 balls) dug Kingsbridge out of hole and towards a defendable total of 163. Rakesh Gheravada (29) chipped in – and a hefty 50 runs in extras definitely helped.
South Devon ran into early problems against Browne (2-19) and at Bhanu de Silva – and at 36 for five were on the ropes.
Stand-in captain Mali Marshall hung around to make 41 until he was eighth out on 65.
De Silva (4-13) applied the coup de grace as South Devon were skittled for 69.
IVYBRIDGE lost some ground at the top of the C Division West after their derby date with Cornwood 2nd XI fell foul of the weather.
While early leaders Ashburton were cruising to a 155-run win at Brixham, Ivybridge were being rained-off at Oak Park.
Although the Bridge remain second in the table, Ashburton have opened-up an eight-point lead at the top.
And although it is early days in the league, in a division with just one promotion spot you don’t want to be second for very long.
Ivybridge lost opener Adam Huxtable in the first over down from Harry Woolway and were 23 for two when Cebo Tshiki was removed by Jacob Caunter.
Harry Solomon made a patient 58 not out for Ivybridge which, with support from skipper Josh Zimmerman (28) got the total up to 167 for nine.
Dan Skeemer and Jason Hall gave little away in spells costing less than three runs an over.
When the lower order tried to raise the tempo, Jack Ormsby (3-44) picked-up wickets.
There was no action after tea due to rain.
YELVERTON and Paignton 2nd XI managed half a 35-overs-each game before rain brought a terminal end to proceedings at Langton Park.
Opener Brenton Pedley top scored with 92 for Paignton in their total of 195 for six
Pedley faced 109 balls, a dozen of which he dispatched to the boundary, and was involved in stands that added 180 to the total.
There was a stand of 43 between Pedley and Connor Bryan (16) for the third wicket. Carl McFarlane (33) was at the other end from Pedley while 86 went up for the fourth wicket.
Yelverton’s new-ball operator Deepanshu Gahlawat had bowling figures of three for 21. Mike Lemmings (8-1-29-0) gave little away.
Yelverton remain sixth in the table of ten.
PLYMOUTH 2nd XI’s away game at Sandford was abandoned without a ball bowled.
