
CHAGFORD hammered Plympton by a whopping 230 runs in the top-against-bottom match on the War Memorial Ground.
Prolific run getters James Fulner and Ricky Hopwood both missed out – Matt Draper (3-43) bowled too straight for both of them – but despite that setback the Moorlanders still hoisted 289 for five.
Jon Wright hit a run-a-ball 50 for Chagford, but the real runs were still in the dressing room.
Jake Griffiths set about the Plympton bowling to score 103 not out off just 88 balls.
Griffiths and Stuart Lipo (41) posted 105 for the fourth wicket – and there were more runs to come from Paddy Poustie (35).
There were some painful overs – Kristian King went for 17 in one of his – and skipper Keith Willcock took himself off after bowling a 10-baller due to wides.
Neil Rowlands had a field day with the ball for Chagford as his six-for-21 haul helped consign Plympton to 59 all out.
Rahul Brijnath got in on the wicket-taking business with two tail-enders.
Willcock (19), Sai Yerradla (14) and Draper (12) were Plympton’s only batters in double figures.
Chagford sit 35 points clear of second-placed Torquay & Kingskerswell at the top of the table. Plympton are 22 points adrift at the opposite end.
TAVISTOCK 2nd XI and Whitchurch said a fond farewell to former player, umpire and administrator John Gauler prior to their derby date at the Ring.
Gauler, who was 87 earlier this month, died last week after a lengthy period of ill-health.
Gauler started his career as a batsman with Lydford then played for Tavistock. He became an umpire when he finished playing and handled the appointments on behalf of the Devon League after ceasing to stand in matches.
Andy Gauler, one of John’s sons, followed his dad into the Tavistock 1st XI and is still playing now. He spoke movingly about his father during a tribute before the game got under way.
Richard Potts, the Whitchurch captain, said: The game was played in a great spirit and was a touching send-off for John Gauler, who was an avid supporter of both clubs.”
Whitchurch made 220 for nine in 45 overs with Potts leading the way with 82. Nigel Barriball chipped-in 26 and there were 45 extras.
“After a slow batting start of 39 for two off 16 overs, thankfully we managed to build the innings,” said Potts.
Jon Procter (5-32) got into the bottom half of the Whitchurch order once he had removed Potts first.
Tavistock got as far as 178 for seven before their overs ran out. Steve Luffman (81) was the main run-getter. Extras (34) was the only other total above 18.
Six Whitchurch bowlers were used and all took a wicket. Berren Royce-Rogers (2-24) went one better.
“On a pitch that was hard to get timing on, our bowlers kept the run rate in check and squeezed Tavistock’s middle order, resulting in regular wickets and a pleasing win,” said winning skipper Potts.
BRIDESTOWE 2nd XI remain third in the E Division West of the Tolchards DCL following a two-wicket win over Paignton 3rd XI.
Paignton found runs hard to come by at Torre Valley North and there wasn’t much to come after Andy Singh (27) and Jack Bewick (16no) had batted.
Tim Shaw, the Bridestowe captain, had a field day against the bottom half of the Paignton order. He finished with five wickets for just 12 runs at the end of a collapse from 87 for six to 101 all out.
Bridestowe suffered similar difficulties when they batted. No one in the top four made more than Andy Brimacombe (16) as Singh (3-17) pinned them down.
Ian Jutson’s patient 32 proved significant for Brideswtowe. He defied Jack Bewick (3-19) to take the chase to 95 for eight. Chris Lavis (8no) and Jimmy Simmons (1no) were in at the end.
LEWDOWN’S game away to Teignmouth & Shaldon 2nd XI came to a soggy conclusion after 13 overs.
Opening batsman Oliver Jordan was 43 not out in a Lewdown tally of 75 for two when rain stopped play.
Teignmouth & Shaldon’s Oscar Lovell (2-32) dismissed Lewdown batsmen Matt Jones and Keith Maynard.