We begin by saying a huge THANK YOU to NM Farley & Sons and also to Rob & Bev Harris who were today’s match ball sponsors. This form of support for the club is MUCH appreciated by all. Thank you again!
Bradninch 1st XI sit just 17 points off top spot in the Tolchards Devon League 2022 Premier Division title race after a 77-run win over Bovey Tracey at Kensham Park.
It was another fine all-round performance that saw Gary Chappell and his men to their latest victory.
Batting first, after winning the toss, runs from; Dan Hardy (62 from 72), Tim Piper (45/46), Ankit Badwal (33/25), Mitch Pugh (31/46) and Chad Classen (21/24), saw the side to a close of 266-8 five. No fewer than five partnerships of 30 plus runs with Tim Piper and Ross Acton topping the list with the 47 runs they put on for the second wicket while Mitch Pugh and Dan Hardy added 46th for the fourth, Dan Hardy and Ankit Badwal added 46 for the seventh, Dan Hardy and Chad Classen added 42 for the sixth and Ankit Badwal and Josh Farley out on 33 for the eighth. Then, four wickets from Gary Chappell and two each from Chad Classen and Josh Farley saw Bovey bundled out for 189 in 41 overs.
Bovey Tracey were three down with just runs on the board. They did then have a 69-run partnership for their fourth wicket and another 35-run partnership for their sixth, but, from 154-5 after 34 overs and three deliveries, they slipped to 189 all out in 41 overs.
Skipper Gary Chappell topped the bowling returns with his 4-31 from 10 overs while Chad Classen (2-42 from nine) and Josh Farley (2-63 from 10) and Mitch Pugh (1-32 from seven), were the other wicket takers – the other wicket claimed was a run-out initiated by a Ross Acton throw.
So, whisper it quietly, but, with four games to play and 80 points up for grabs, Bradninch 1st XI, with both the top two still to play, are very much ‘in the mix’ for the top honour.
You can see a full breakdown of who plays who in the Title ‘run-in’ on the BCC website at www.bradninchcc.co.uk