The 1959 cricket season saw a May 4th start for the 2nd XI with a game at home to KILLERTON. This was a 20-over contest that saw the visitors batting first and it was not long before Cliff Kellow, who took the new ball with Eddie Andress, had the Killerton opener caught by Sid Bastin. That was to be one of two wickets for Bradninch – the other was a catch held by Peter Rowland to give Sid Bastin a wicket and Killerton closed on 83-2. The bowling figures for Bradninch were: Eddie Andress (0-6 from four overs); Cliff Kellow (1-13 from 4); John Kenshole (0-16 from 3); Peter Rowland (0-13 from 3); Sid Bastin (1-20 from 3) and Ken Salter (0-11 from 3). Bradninch were then restricted to 49-6 from their 20 overs with the bat. Opener John Kenshole top scored with 11 while there were three batters, Peter Rowland, Alan Luke and Ken Salter, who each scored nine. The Bradninch team: J Kenshole (11), P Rowland (9), Alan Luke (9), T Bulley (0), K Salter (9), Rodney Goff (2), R Glanville 4 not out), S Bastin (4 not out), C Kellow, D Smith and E Andress did not bat.
On May 9th Bradninch travelled to Tiverton where they were bowled out for 60. The Bradninch 11, with scores in brackets was: G Hooper (9), Ed Clarke (1), Ted Bulley (0), Ken Salter (8), Rodney Goff (0), Martyn Beed (1), AJW Andress (16 not out), G Cumming (0), DG Vicary (7), SH Bastin (0) and R Glanville (0). T Mc Dermott, with 5-12, was the pick of the Tiverton bowlers, while A Ellicott claimed 3-21. Tiverton won the match by six wickets, closing on 64-6 from 25 overs, with D Hammacott top scoring with an unbeaten 12. For Bradninch, the bowling figures were: G Hooper (3-21 from six overs), S Bastin (2-10 from 10 overs, six of which were maidens), K Salter (1-8 from seven overs, five of which were maidens) and G Cumming (0-8).
On May 16th Bradninch journeyed into Exeter to play Mount Radford School at their Abbey Park ground. The school side batted first and were bowled out for just 48 from 26 overs. Peter Rowland sent down nine overs, seven of which were maidens, and returned figures of 3-7. G Hooper, who opened the bowling with Rowland, took 2-13 from eight overs while E Clarke had figures of 3-2 from five overs, four of which were maidens. Ken Salter took 2-16 from three overs and the other over sent down came from Sid Bastin (0-1). Bradninch then batted and scored 92 all out with last batter G Hooper top scoring on 25. The Bradninch team (with scores in brackets): M Beed (6), A Luke (0), I Kernick (2), T Bulley (9), AJW Andress (6), G Coombes (7), S Bastin (8), E Clarke (15 not out), K Salter (0), P Rowland (8) and G Hooper (25).Opening bowler Heis, with a return of 6-34 from 13 overs, was the pick of the home bowlers.
May 20th saw a second meeting with Killerton and again they were the home side. Bradninch batted first and closed their 20 overs with the bat with a score of 87-9. The Bradninch batting was: Walt Wingrove (20), Dave Langdon (2), E Clarke (20), W Mortimer (2), D Thomas (1), W Sleigh (12), S Bastin (5), K Salter (4), H Clark (10 not out), C Kellow (3) and R Glanville (0 not out). Killerton were then bowled out for just 30 in 15 overs. Cliff Kellow was the star of the show with his return being an eye-catching seven wickets for just eight runs from eight overs, four of which were maidens. W Mortimer bowled in tandem with Kellow and his return was 3-22 from seven overs. I Luke, batting at number six for Killerton, top scored with 10.
Sandford were the visitors to Bradninch on May 23 and the visitors batted first and were bowled out for 103 in 46.3 overs. T Glanfield (25), B Lewis (22) and A Abrahams (20), were the principle scorers while the home bowling returns were: SH Bastin (4-21 from 12 overs), P Rowland (3-11 from 7.3 overs), G Hooper (3-32 from 16 overs) whole others to bowl were; I Kernick (0-14), R Glanville (0-13) and A Bance (0-1 from three overs). A home win was sealed on 104-7 from 37 overs. The Bradninch batting effort was: G Hooper (10), M Beed (22), P Rowland (26), I Kernick (0), H Clarke (4), A Bance (3), R Goff (6), AJW Andress (16 not out), SH Bastin (13 not out), D G Vicary and R Glanville (Did not bat). For the visitors, Kaye (2-21), Cartlidge (2-26), W Matten (1-24), R Matten (1-12) and B Lewis (0-17) saw to the bowling effort.
On May 25th, Bradninch entertained Kentisbeare who batted first and were bowled out for 20 inside 13 overs! The visitors had 12 in their team but none of their batters reached double figures. A Durrant, batting at number seven, top scored with four while W Pinn, batting at ten, scored three and that was also the score from A Allday, batting at number three. At one stage, the visiting innings stood at 7-7! The full Kentisbeare batting card read: D Goff (2), M Hitt (0), A Allday (3), R Hill (1), J Farley (0), A Bird (0), A Durrant (4), L Skinner (1), DM Pinn (0), W Pinn (3), J Vallance (0) and R Vincent (0 not out). Just two bowlers were required by the home side: Cliff Kellow finished with 4-12 from 6.3 overs while Edward Andress finished with the excellent return of seven wickets for just two runs from six overs, four of which were maidens. Bradninch then batted and scored 56-5 with A Bance top scoring with 18. The full Bradninch card read: H Clark (4), R Goff (11), R Glanville (4), W Sleigh (16), A Bance (18), T Nicholas (0 not out) and P Rowland (0 not out). The others not to bat were: K Salter, C Kellow, W Mortimer and E Andress. The Kentisbeare bowling figures were: A Bird (2-6 from two), A Durrant (1-11 from seven), DM Pinn (1-7 from two), R Hill (0-8 from seven), J Vallance (0-12 from two) and M Hitt (0-9 from two).
On May 30th Bradninch 2nds travelled to the Show Ground in Exeter to meet Whipton 2nd XI. The hosts batted first and were bowled out for 78 in 22.3 overs. G Griffin, batting at number six, top scored for the home side with 35. G Hooper was the star of the bowling effort with a return of 7-37 from eight overs. A Bance shared the new ball duties and his return was 2-29 from 11 overs, while the third bowler used was S Bastin with his return being 1-5 from three-and-a-half overs. Bradninch wrapped up a six wicket win on 82-4 thanks to E Clark with 20. Then full Bradninch line up was: G Hooper (13), T Bulley (1), E Clarke (20), W Andress (16), R Goff (18 not out) and G Coombes (8 not out). The other team members were: S Bastin, A Bance, H Clarke, R Sleigh and R Glanville. Ther pick of the Whipton 2nd XI bowling returns was the 4-47 from 13 overs delivered by G Willis.
June began with a 2nd of the month meeting with visiting touting side Richmond who batted first and scored 83-5 from their 20 overs. Opener D Deacon top scored with 29. E Andress opened the bowling and returned figures of 2-24 from nine overs. A Bance the other successful bowler with his return being 1-23 from four while two others bowled – S Bastin (0-7 from one over) and C Kellow (0-20 from six). Bradninch then got home to claim a two wicket win on 89-8 thanks to an unbeaten 31 from number seven bat Alan Bance. The full Bradninch card was: K Salter (8), W Sleigh (8), P Rowland (6), S Bastin (7), R Goff (5), I Kernick (8), A Bance (31 not out), C Kellow (1), E Andress (9 not out and the only home player not to bat was R Glanville. G Williams, with 5-45, was the pick of the bowlers for the touring side.
June 8th saw a local derby at home to Cullompton 2nds. Bradninch batted first and were bundled out for just 56 in 16 overs and one ball. The home batting effort was: W Wingrove (11), E Clarke (2), H Clarke (0), AJW Andress (2), A Bance (3), B Hosegrove (15), SH Bastin (9), I Kernick (0), K Salter (12), R Sowden (0) and DG Vicary (0 not out). Cullompton used just two bowlers with Wilson claiming the exceptional figures of 6-18 from 8.1 overs while Jones had a return of 3-35 from eight overs. If the home faithful thought they were then about to witness an away success – they were wrong for Cullompton were promptly bowled out for just 34! Sid Bastin and Alan Bance shared the home bowling with the Bance return being 2-25 from 10 overs while Bastin returned superb figures of 7-15 from 9.5 overs. The Cullompton batting effort was: G Greening (8), K Foster (9), W Bird (0), J Hutchings (8), L Foan (0), H Veysey (2), H Whitfield (0), K Hawkins (0), D Heale (4), R Wilson (1 not out) and T Jones (Jnr) (0).
Next up was a June 10th trip into Exeter to meet Exwick where Bradninch batted first and closed their 20 overs on 61-7. The Bradninch batting effort was: W Wingrove (7), W Sleigh (0), K Salter (26), E Clarke (1), P Rowland (12), C Kellow (2), D Langdon (5 not out), R Glanville (0), R Nott (1 not out) E Andress (did not bat) and K Wood (did not bat). G Richards, with 3-16 was the best of the home bowling returns. However, once again the Bradninch 2nd were able to defend a relatively low score, restricting Exwick to a reply of 49-9! Edward Andress (6-16 from 10 overs), Cliff Kellow (1-24 from six) and Roy Nott (1-6 from four) shared the bowling duties. G Richards top scored for the beaten hosts with 21.
Pinhoe were the visitors for a June 17th meeting. Batting first, Bradninch closed on 108-4 after 22 overs led there by a fine unbeaten half century from Alan Bance (53). The others to bat were: M Beed (19), H Clark (5), T Nicholas (18), B Holsgrove (4), R Glanville (6 not out) and R Goff (3 not out). Pinhoe were then restricted to 64-9 in one ball shy of 22 overs. Cliff Kellow claimed a ‘fivefer’ with his return being 5-35 from 11 overs while the only other bowler needed was Alan Bance with his return being 3-21 in 10.5 overs.
June 18th saw Exeter Casuals visit Bradninch and the home side batted first, being bowled out for just 62 in 15 overs and five balls! The full home batting return was: J Kenshole (12), D Thomas (0), W Sleigh (0), K Salter (0), L Turner (28), A Bance (1), P Rowland (5), S Bastin (5), C Kellow (5), E Andress (0) and K Wood (2 not out). C Priddle claimed 5-33 for the visitors while G White (3-23) was the only other bowler used. The visitors won the game on 63-8 with the match, an evening contest, that began at 6.45pm, ending at 9.01pm! Opener K Adams top scored with 31, but only one other batter, J Bee (15) reached double figures. J Kenshole (5-32) and E Andress (2-29), were the two bowlers used by Bradninch.
June 27 saw an away game against Exeter Casuals. The home side batted first and were bowled out for 75 in 30 overs and four balls. G Wood top scored for the hosts with 29 while the wickets were shared, five each, between Cliff Kellow and Edward Andress. The Kellow return was 5-38 from 15 overs and the 5-12 from the 8.4 overs sent down by Andress. However, the Bradninch batting effort fared even worse as they were bowled out for just 66 inside 29 overs. The full Bradninch batting read: G Hooper (0), E Clarke (2), SH Bastin (1), H Clarke (27), B Holsgrove (6), I Kernick (3), R Glanville (0), C Kellow (2), R Goff (2 not out), DG Vicary (4) and E Andress (5).G White was the pick of the Casuals bowling with his return of 4-14.
On July 15th Exwick were the visitors to Bradninch for a contest that lasted less than 30 overs with 53 runs scored and 16 wickets taken! Exwick batted first and were skittled out for 26 with the only double figure score coming from opener K Ford (14). Cliff Kellow claimed figures of 6-13 from nine overs while Ed Andress was the only other bowler required and his return was 4-11 from 8.2 overs. Bradninch slipped to 19-5 before an unbeaten 15 from Sid Bastin saw them to a four wicket win on 27-6. The full home batting card read: M Beed (2), W Sleigh (9), H Clark (7), R Glanville (0), I Kernick (0), B Holsgrove (3), A Bance (3), P Rowland (1 not out) and S Bastin (15 not out). Richards, with 4-12, was the most successful of the visiting bowlers.
July 18th saw Bradninch 2nds make the short trip across to Thorverton where the home side batted first and scored 95 in 38.5 overs. K Baker hit an unbeaten 36 while others to notch double figures for the Thors were G Coombe (21) and K Way (14). Second change bowler E Clarke returned fine figures of 4-20 from seven overs and the others to bowl were: P Rowland (2-27 from 12), G Hooper (2-28 from 9), C Kellow (1-14 from 10) and S Bastin 1-1 from five balls. Bradninch were then bowled out for just 57 in 28.5 overs. The Bradninch batting effort read: G Hooper (6), M Beed (2), E Clark (0), T Nicholas (0), W Andress (4), R Goff (0), H Clark (8), B Holsgrove (29), S Bastin (0), P Rowland (4), C Kellow (0 not out). K Way took 5-14 and L Wardle had 3-11 while J Carter claimed 2-9 for the victorious Thors.
Stoke Canon were the visitors to Bradninch on July 22nd. Batting first, Bradninch closed on 72-9 from their 20 overs. The full batting effort was: M Beed (2), B Holsgrove (6), W Sleigh (4), W Andress (31), S Bastin (1), I Kernick (3), R Glanville (0), D Tanner (1 not out), R Tanner (9), P Rowland (10), R Nott (0 not out). However, that low score was more than enough for a home win as Stoke Canon were then bowled out for 59 in 19 overs. P Rowland opened the bowling with Roy Nott and the pair claimed seven of the wickets. The Rowland return was a splendid 5-10 from three overs while Nott finished with 2-22 and there was a wicket apiece for I Kernick (1-5 from two overs) and Tanner ((1-9 from three overs).
On July 25th Rockbeare were the visitors and, batting first, Bradninch closed on 124-9 with G Coombes top scoring from the number eight slot with a knock of 29. The full Bradninch batting effort read: M Beed (10), G Hooper (8), H Clark (4), P Rowland (12), R Goff (16), B Holsgrove (3), S Bastin (9), G Coombes (29), C Kellow (8), AJW Andress (10 not out), DG Vicary (5 not out). H Clapp (4-35) and F Harris (3-67) were the pick of the Rockbeare bowlers. The visitors were then knocked over for just 43 in 17.2 overs which were sent down by Cliff Kellow and Pete Rowland. Kellow claimed another big haul with his return being 7-19 from nine overs while Rowland’s return was 3-13 from eight overs and two balls. H Auguast 1stClapp was the only visiting batsman into double figures with his knock of 11.
August 1st saw Torquay 3rd XI provide opposition at Kensham Park. The visitors batted first and were promptly bowled out for 59 in just 16 overs and one ball. For the second successive game the damage was down by just the two Bradninch bowlers – Cliff Kellow and Pete Rowland with Rowland claiming 6-27 in eight overs and Kellow, 4-21 in eight overs and one ball. W West, with 14 and C Haly, with 10, were the only Torquay batters into double figures. Bradninch reached the winning line at 60-1 and the game then continued with the home side closing on 130. W Sleigh (26 not out) and G Hooper (29 not out) were the unbeaten home batters when the winning line was crossed.
On August 8th, Bradninch 2nds travelled across to Rockbeare where they batted first and were hustled out for just 28 in 14 overs and three balls! Batting at number three, E Clarke was unbeaten on nine at the close of the innings! G Coombes, batting at number eight, scored six while openers G Hooper and W Beed each scored four. H Clapp (5-7) and F Harris (5-18), were the home pair to do the damage with the ball. Rockbeare knocked off the required amount and batted on to a close of 110-5. Sid Bastin with 2-31 was the most successful of the Bradninch bowlers. There were also single wicket hauls for Cliff Kellow, G Hooper and H Clark.
That proved to be the final game of the 1959 season for the Bradninch 2nd XI.