HEADLINES – Del French hits unbeaten ton in June meeting with Pinhoe / Six wicket haul for Richard Foan at Thorverton / French takes six Chudleigh wickets / Paul Nott scores unbeaten ton at Crowcombe / Paul Bastin scores unbeaten 76 against Sandford / Big unbeaten August ton for Rob Acton / Bastin hits 70 and Hardy an unbeaten 67 in final game of the season
April 23rd signalled the start of the 1995 campaign for the team and the opening game was a meeting with a visiting Stoodleigh who batted first and were bowled out for 183 in 46 overs and one ball. Mike Kellow had the honour of claiming the first wicket of the season when Richard Foan held a catch to dismiss opener James Cridland for three. Paul Nott opened the bowling with Kellow and five of his first eight overs were maidens! Nott finished with figures of 2-52 from 16.1 overs while the Kellow return was 3-26 from 11. Forst change was Chris Acton (1-26 from eight) and the two others to bowl on the opening day were Rob Gitsham (1-35 from seven) and Richard Foan (3-28 from four). J Andrews, batting at number five top scored for Stoodleigh with a knock of 78. Catchers for Bradninch on the opening day were Richard Foan, his Dad, Mike Foan, Chris Acton and Mike Kellow. Bradninch were then bowled out for 132 to lose the contest by a margin of 51 runs. Mike Foan, who opened, top scored with 35 while Les Kent, batting at eight, hit 32, Mike Kellow, from the number seven berth, scored 26 and number ten bat Dave Henderson hit three fours in a not out score of 24. Five different bowlers shared the Stoodleigh wicket taking. The Bradninch team on day one was. M Foan, C Acton, P Nott, R Gitsham, M Clarke, M Cliff, M Kellow, L Kent, D Henderson, R Foan and B Burton.
Seven days later the team travelled to Whimple where they batted first and, after 49 overs, had scored 105-9. No one made more than opener Del French who scored 17 with the best of the rest being the unbeaten 14 scored by number 10 bat Mike Cliff. The only other double figure contributions were scores of 13 by Mike Foan and 11 from middle order bat Dave Harvey. The other Bradninch batting scores were M Blatchford (4), M Clarke (9), R Gitsham (1), M Kellow (6), T Evans (5), L Kent (3) and R Foan (3no). Ben Silk, with 4-15 from eight overs, was the pick of the home bowling figures. Mike Kellow and T Evans reduced Whimple to 8-4 from which the home side never recovered, eventually being dismissed for 47 in 28.2 overs. All five of the Bradninch bowlers claimed at least one wicket with the returns being, Del French (3-2 from three overs), T Evans (3-11 from 11), Mike Kellow (2-9 from eight), Richard Foan (1-3 from 1.2 overs) and Rob Gitsham (1-14 from five).
Saturday May 7 saw Alphington pitch up at Bradninch and the Alphas batted first, declaring on 215-6, led there by opener T Newberry who was eventually out, caught by Mike Kellow off the bowling of Del French for 121. Kellow bowled unchanged from one end finishing with figures of 2-79 from 23 overs. A Smith (0-25 from seven) shared the new ball with Kellow and Del French, the first change, had the best figures of 3-53 off 10 overs and the other bowler used was Richard Foan (1-51 from five). Bradninch replied with 178-8 with opener Del French top scoring 68 with fellow opener Austin Hargreaves scoring 21. The other Bradninch batting totals were A Smith (14), M Clarke (0), Dave Harvey (16), Mike Cliff (1), Mike Kellow (15), Les Kent (3) and Richard Foan (5 not out). The two home players who ‘did not bat’ were Brian Solman and P Hargreaves. D Hurved, with 3-31 from 11 overs, topped the Alphington bowling returns.
A week later the team travelled across to Thorverton where, batting first, Bradninch closed their 46 overs on 196-6. Mike Foan top scored with 77 while number four bat, Mike Clarke hit 58 and number three, A Smith hit 36. Other scores were Del French (3), Mike Cliff (1), Pete Hardy (11 not out), Mike Kellow (5) and Dave Harvey (2 not out). The three ‘did not bat’ Bradninch players were Richard Foan, Les Kent and Robin Hodgson. R Lavery took 4-55 from 13 overs for the Thors who then found themselves bowled out for 100 in 40 overs with Richard Foan claiming six wickets to finish with the splendid return of 6-13 from seven overs. Mike Kellow (3-40 from 16) and Del French (1-34 from 13) shared the new ball duties. A Smith (0-5 from four) was the other bowler used as Bradninch secured a 96 run success.
There was a Mid-May trip to Shobrooke Park where Bradninch batted first and were bowled out for 152 in 43 overs. M Clarke top scored for Bradninch with 49 and Mike Cliff hit 44 but the only other double figure scores were the 19 from Mikr Foan, II from Gillie Wrightson and 10 from Del French. The other batting returns were Paul Bastin (0), Dave Harvey (0), Mike Kellow (0), Les Kent (0), T Evans (6 not out) and Richard Foan (0). C Tester took 6-43 for Shobrooke Park who raced to a seven wicket win closing on 153-3 from 42 overs. T Matthews top scored with an unbeaten 79 for the home side. T Evans (2-41 from 14) and Mike Kellow (1-40 from 14) were the successful bowlers.
On May 20th Kingsbridge were the visitors to Bradninch and they batted first, closing their 46 overs on 156-7. W Bailey-Lewis carried his bat for an unbeaten 71. Mike Kellow bowled unchanged from one end to finish with figures of 3-54 from 23 overs and the other wicket taker was Richard Foan (2-36 from seven). Bradninch raced to an eight wicket win thanks to an unbeaten 60 from Mike Foan and 42 from Jason Dowrick. M Clarke chipped in with an unbeaten 20 and the other home batsman was Del French (17).
The final game in May was away against Exeter St James at Topsham but this game was washed out after just 13 overs with the home side 32-1. The one wicket was a catch held by Clarke to give A Smith a wicket.
Saturday, June 3rd saw Chudleigh visit Bradninch and the home side batted first and were bowled out for just 88 with only two bowlers used by the visitors. Both bowlers sent down 20 overs with the D Williams return being 6-35 while R James served up figures of 4-47. Pete Hardy, batting at number eight, top scored with 15 and the only other double figure scores were the 14 scored by Mike Foan and a knock of 13 from Jason Dowrick. The other home batting returns were Del French (0), Austin Haragreaves (8), Mike Cliff (7), Paul Bastin (9), Dave Harvey (3), Richard Foan (1), T Evans (2 not out) and Les Kent (6). Chudleigh scraped home to win by two wickets on 89-8! Del French claimed superb figures of 6-25 from 20 overs and the other home bowler to claim a wicket was Jason Dowrick (1-18 from seven). Opener P Radmore top scored with 24 for Chudleigh.
Bradninch travelled to Plympton next where the home side batted first and closed on 202-8 from their 46 overs. Number three bat M Leivis top scored with 94. The Bradninch bowling returns were Del French (3-42 from 14), A Smith (2-49 from 13), T Evans (2-16 from 6), W Dines (1-56 from 12) and Dan Foat (0-20 from one). Bradninch replied with 170 all out from a ball shy of 43 overs. Austin Hargreaves top scored with an unbeaten 73 and M Clarke scored with 49 – the pair adding 107 for the fourth wicket. The ‘best of the rest’ in terms of the batting effort were knocks of 11 from Will Dines and 10 from Mike Foan. Third change R Higman topped the home bowling returns with his 5-22 from 7.5 overs.
The team saw its first ton of the season on June 11th with Del French carrying his bat in the home meeting with Pinhoe. French’s first three scoring shots were all threes and he went on to hit 13 fours in his unbeaten 102. Paul Bastin hit three fours in his knock of 21 and the other Bradninch batting scores in a total of 168-4 from 42 overs being Jason Dowrick (2), Mike Cliff (5), Austin Hargreaves (14) and Gillie Wrightson (8 not out). The five home ‘did not bat’ players were Rob Gitsham, S Spiller, Les Kent, Richard Foan and Phil May. Pinhoe won the game, closing on 169-4. Rob Gitsham (1-53 from 10), Jason Dowrick (1-11 from 2) and Austin Hargreaves (1-6 from 1.4) were the successful Bradninch bowlers.
A trip to Cockington took place on Sunday, June 18 and the home side batted first and were bowled out for 95 in 39 overs thanks to Chris Hatherley who claimed figures of 5-37 from 20 overs. Phil May (3-26 from 12) was the other successful bowler with the other returns being Jason Dowrick (0-4 from one) and Mike Cliff (0-21 from six). Mike Foan, unbeaten on 41 and Jason Dowrick, unbeaten on 45, saw Bradninch to a 10 wicket win.
Cornwood were next to visit Bradninch with the Jume 24th game seeing the home side bat first and close on 177-9 led there by Chris Hatherley with 49 from the number four slot. Rob Acton, who opened with Mike Foan (18) scored 35 and Paul Bastin, from the number seven berth, scored 28. The other Bradninch batting efforts were Rob Gitsham (20), Mike Cliff (2), S Speller (0), Pete Hardy (9), Richard Foan (0 not out), T Evans (1) and Phil May (4 not out). S Hawton and D Bartrop both claimed four wickets for Cornwood who replied with 134-7 in their 46 overs. F Rogers top scored from the opening slot with 57 while five of the six Bradninch bowlers claimed at least one wicket. The returns were Rob Acton (2-3), Chris Hatherley (2-34), T Evans (1-21), P May (1-24) and Richard Foan (1-33) with the only bowler not to claim a wicket being Rob Gitsham (0-16 from three).
The final Sunday of June saw Crowcombe host Bradninch for a 40 overs fixture and the hosts batted first and closed on an imposing 239-3. Paul Nott (2-34 from eight) and Rob Gitsham (1-49 from five) were the successful Bradninch bowlers. Paul Nott then hit an unbeaten 104 as Bradninch replied on 209-6 from their 40 overs. Rob Head scored 38 and Del French hit 28, the other Bradninch batting returns were Dan Foat (0), Rob Gitsham (16), S Speller (3), David Harvey (5) and R ray (0 not out).
Pinhoe visited Bradninch for a Wednesday evening 20 overs game. The home side batted first and Rob Acton smashed an unbeaten 80 whole Jason Dowrick scored 41 – he and Acton added 88 for the first wicket which fell in the 13th over. Phil May was the other not out batsman with 10 to his name as Bradninch closed their 20 overs on 149-1. The ‘did not bat’ list for Bradninch read Paul Bastin, Rob Gitsham, Dave Hawton, N Burton, Les Kent, Austin Hargreaves, P Hargreaves and S Ray. Pinhoe replied with 149 in exactly 20 overs with R Edwards top scoring with 55. Rob Gitsham opened the bowling and returned the pick of the figures with his return being 4-31 from four. The other wicket takers were Rob Acton (2-11 from two), P Hargreaves (1-2 from 2), Jason Dowrick (1-16 from 2), S Ray (1-23 from 4).
July began with a visit to Ipplepen where, batting first and closed on 187-8 from their 46 overs. Mike Foan opened and top scored with 45 while Chris Hatherly, from the number five slot, scored 42 and Rob Gitsham, batting at eight, was not out 20. Other double figure scores were Jason Dowrick (10), M Clarke (13), Paul Bastin (12) and Austin Hargreaves (18). Ipplepen sealed a four wicket win with one complete over to spare, closing on 189-6. Chris Hatherley, bowling as the first change, claimed figures of 3-45 from 14 overs – his first nine overs saw him on 1-15! A Smith, Richard Foan and Rob Gitsham each claimed a single wicket.
A home meeting with Clyst Hydon took place on July 2nd and Bradninch batted first and were bowled out for 144 with only Rob Acton (53), Dan Foat (28) and Mike Cliff (14) into double figures. G Hawes claimed 7-35 from 12.2 overs for Clyst Hydon who replied with 145-6 to seal a four wicket win. Dan Foat was the star of the show with the ball as he returned figures of 4-44 from 11 overs. Will Dines (2-33 from 13) was the other wicket taker. S Hines hit an unbeaten 72 for Clyst Hydon.
Southampton based BT Marine were the visitors for a midweek 25 over game and the visitors batted first and closed on 141-9. Jason Dowrick and Rob Acton each claimed a brace of wickets. Bradninch then scored 145-4 led to a six wicket success by an unbeaten 64 from Rob Acton and 25 from Austin Hargreaves.
Ten-man Ipplepen were next at Bradninch and they were bowled out for 151 inside 42 overs. J Tuckett scored 69 for the visitors while Chris Hatherley claimed his third ‘fivefer’ of the season returning figures of 5-45 from 20 overs. T Evans (2-32) and single wickets for Rob Gitsham and N Jarrold saw to the completion of the bowling effort. Bradninch then sealed a two wicket win on 152-8 scored off 51 overs. Mind you, at 106-8 things looked bleak for the home side but then T Evans joined Chris Hatherley and the pair saw Bradninch to victory. Hatherley ended unbeaten on 39 with the only other main contributions coming from openers Mike Fian (25) and Jason Dowrick (23). J Tuckett completed a fine all-round shift for Ipplepen with a return of 6-61.
A trip to Alphington followed and the home team batted first and closed their 46 overs on 140-7. Mike Kellow led the way with the ball with his return being 4-52 from 23 overs – again bowled on the trot! A Smith (3-47 from 17) was the other successful bowler. Bradninch were then 95-9 when last man Phil May joined A Smith at the crease and the pair got the team so close, eventually being separated with the score on 138! Both Smith and May shared the top score – in Mays case, out for 23 while Smith was not out 23. Rob Gitsham, from the number eight slot, scored 16 and opener Paul Bastin hit 15. M Knight took 4-34 for the Alphas who claimed a two run success.
Thorverton were next at Kensham Park where Bradninch batted first and were bowled out for 162 in exactly 46 overs. Jason Dowrick top scored with 53 and Paul Baston hit 27 – the pair putting on 51 for the opening wicket. C Edmonds scored 32 and there were 22 extras as R Lavery (5-53) and S Hussey (4-51) did the damage with the ball. Simon Molineux then slammed an unbeaten 89 as Thorverton raced to a nine wicket win. Mike Kellow (1-33 from 13) was the only home bowler to enjoy success.
Sandford were the visitors for a 20 over Thursday evening game. Batting first, the visitors closed on 152-9 with number seven bat S Guscott hitting 71 before falling to a Paul Bastin catch off the bowling of S Braely. Thorverton had been 12-5 in the fourth over before the Guscott led revival! Mike Cliff was the chief architect of the early wicket taking with his return being 3-5 from two overs! Stephen Trump bagged a brace of wickets. Bradninch then raced to a seven wicket win thanks to an unbeaten 76 from Paul Bastin. Keith Selby hit 22 and Mike Cliff chipped in with 17.
Shobrooke Park visited Kensham Park on July 22nd and the home side batted first and closed their 46 overs on 170-6 thanks to 61 from opener Jason Dowrick and 44 from number three bat Rob Gitsham. Mike Kellow then claimed the only visiting wicket to fall as Shobrooke Park closed out a nine wicket win on 173-1 thanks to J High (71 not out) and K Cullingford (78 not out).
The final Saturday of July saw Kingsbridge visit Bradninch and the away side batted first and closed on 255-7. S Inch top scored with 83 while Phil May and Richard Foan both bagged two wickets and there were single wickets claimed by Dan Foat, Rob Acton and A Smith. Bradninch replied with 143-9 with Dan Foat, from the number nine slot, top scoring with 35. Rob Gitsham chipped in with 22 and both C Edmonds and Paul Bastin had knocks of 17. M Webb took 4-41 for Kingsbridge.
Exwick were at Bradninch on July 30th and the home side batted first closing on 178-9 with A Smith (49), Jason Dowrick (41) and J Cowlan (34) providing the bulk of the runs. Exwick replied with 128-8 with S Ray claiming three wickets.
Stapleton visited Bradninch for a midweek game on August 2nd and the Bristol-based opposition batted first and closed on 234-7. Simon Bailey returned the pick of the home bowling figures with his 3-56 from 14 overs. Bailey then top scored with 41 as Bradninch replied on 231-8, narrowly losing by a margin of three runs! The full Bradninch batting returns were Richard Foan (21), Terry Friend (20), S Ray (19), Mike Kellow (23), Dave Hawton (6), Simon Bailey (41), C Edmunds (15), R Green (33 not out), Dan Foat (5) and Del French (16 not out). N Burton was the one ‘did not bat’ for the home side.
Exeter St James were the Kensham Park opposition for the first league game in August. Rob Acton hit a magical unbeaten 145 while Mike Foan, who opened with Acton – the pair put on 175 for the first wicket – scored 75. S ray chipped in with 36 and Chris Hatherley was unbeaten on 17 as Bradninch closed on a whopping 318-4 after 46 overs. Exeter St James replied with 210-4 with Rob Gitsham claiming two of the wickets.
A trip over to Clyst Hydon was next and the home team batted first and closed on 201-8. A Smith claimed 4-52 and Del French had a return of 2-38 for Bradninch who replied with 216-7 with A Smith completing a fine all-round shift with the top score of 52. Si Holmes claimed a five-wicket haul for Clyst Hydon.
Chudleigh played host to Bradninch on August 12th and the home side batted first and closed their 46 overs on 196-5. Will Dines claimed figures of 3-53. Richard Foan and A Smith each claimed a single wicket for Bradninch who replied with 190-7 from their 46 overs. Will Dines top scored with 47 and opener A Smith chipped in with 39 while Mike Cliff, batting at number three, scored 30.
Plympton were next to visit Bradninch and the home side batted first and closed on 232-3, led their by an 87 run partnership for the opening wicket between Mike Foan (87) and Rob Acton (49). Paul Bastin, batting at number four, scored an unbeaten 51. Plympton replied with 135-7 with third change bowler Rob Acton returning figures of 4-50 from 13.5 overs.
Babbacombe were the August 19th visitors to Bradninch and the visitors batted first, closing their 46 overs on 200-6. It was the change bowlers who did the damage with first change Richard Foan’s return being 3-47 from 10 overs while second change Rob Gitsham returned figures of 2-32 from three. Bradninch replied with 169-9 a total reached thanks to a knock of 92 from opener Chris Hatherley. Paul Bastin hit 26 from the number six berth and Mike Foan, who opened with Hatherley, scored 18.
Cockington were in action at Bradninch on August 26th and, batting first, Bradninch scored 236 for the loss of just one wicket! Mike Foan, who opened the innings with Dan Foat and the duo added 117 for the first wicket, was the only batsman to be dismissed, but not before he had scored 68. Paul Bastin joined Foat and they promptly added 119 for the unbroken second wicket! Baston was not out 38 and Foat trooped off with an unbeaten 107 to his name. Cockington replied with 192-5 with Rochard Foan claiming figures of 3-64 from 16 overs while second change A Smith took 2-25 from his 12 overs.
The final Sunday of August saw a Bradninch XI take on Braunton Sunday 2nd XI. The visitors batted first and declared on 210-9 after 37 overs. Opener M Grinstead hit 109 for the visitors while Bradninch replied with 90-9.
September 2nd saw the side visit Cornwood where the home team batted first and closed on 221-3. All three wickets were claimed by Richard Foan (3-59 from 13). Bradninch then closed on 179-6 with Paul Bastin scoring 70 from the openers berth while Pete Hardy, batting at number seven, was not out 67 when the innings came to a close. All six Bradninch wickets were taken by opening bowler Butler.