ABBOTSKERSWELL’S losing run in the Tolchards DCL A Division continued when they went down by five wickets to new boys Bridestowe.

Another mass failure at the top of the order meant Abbots were 11 for four after a collective going over from Tom Fogerty (2-28) and Ethan Guest (2-15).

Toby Hard – 48 not out from 93 balls – showed the sort of application needed when there is rain in the air to get Abbots up to 121 for eight in 36 overs. Next best were the 31 extras and 11 from Inder Singh.

Bottom-half wickets were shared by Tom Pengelly (2-23) and Craig Penberthy and Shaquan Glasgow with one each.

Bridestowe’s DLS target was 110 in 36 overs, which they achieved with exactly 10 overs to go.

There was a slight stumble mid-chase when Bridestowe found themselves 73 for four having lost Glasgow (23) and Phil Woods (14) in quick succession. Kian Burns had already been and gone for 26.

Guest (26no) ensured there were no serious slips on the way to a win that took Bridestowe to third in the table. Abbots remain tenth out of ten.

Nick Watkin, the Abbotskerswell captain, said losing the toss was a factor in the result, as was Bridestowe’s top-end bowling.

There were positives, such as Hard gritting his teeth and getting stuck in.

“Toby batted superbly on a day that runs were really hard to come by,” said Watkin. “To bat the way he did was really impressive. 

“Bowling wise we gave it a good go in conditions that, in my opinion, were unsafe. Full credit to Bridestowe who deserved their win.”

Penberthy, standing-in for unavailable skipper Tallan Burns, said Fogerty and Guest’s good work with the new ball was only part of the story,

“Ethan and Tom were then backed up well by spinners Pengelly and Glasgow in what was turning into tricky conditions to grip the ball. Some good catching and fielding backed up the bowlers.

“Our batters got the job done with Kian and Shaquan getting starts and Ethan playing a very good knock at the end to see us home.”