Matchday five of the Tolchards Devon League saw all three sides claim big wins – ‘Acton Action’ in both the 1st and 2nd XI successes while Third XI skipper Liam Reed led from the front in his teams win with runs and wickets.
1st XI
Ross Acton claimed six wickets to blow away visiting Paignton at Kensham Park on Matchday Five of the Tolchards Devon League Premier Division season.
The ‘Acton action’ led Bradninch & Kentisbeare 1st XI to a whopping 111 run win.
Mind you, earlier in the afternoon, with the home side having been put in and slipping to 48-4, in one ball shy of 14 overs, such a commanding victory looked unlikely.
However, four of the top five batters may well have been returned to the Pavilion, but skipper Gary Chappell, who opened, was still there and he went on to top score with a 127-ball, nine boundary 76.
‘Chaps’ was helped along the way by Nic Bayly – the young South African hitting a 71-ball 45 (four fours and one six) – the pair adding 80 for the fifth wicket in just over 20 overs and then in came Jon Triner to join the skipper and Triner struck a 51-ball 56, bringing his half century up with one of his three sixes.
Chappell and Triner added 81 for the sixth wicket in just over eight overs and it all left B&K ending their 50 overs on 240-9.
When Paignton replied they made a tidy start and, at the start of the 35th over, were well placed on 95-3.
However, then Ross Acton took centre stage as Paignton lost their final seven wickets for just 34 runs – all in the space of 13 overs and three balls – finishing on 129 all out to leave the home side winners by 111 runs!
Acton took the honours with a splendid return of 6-30 from a full compliment of 10 overs. There were two wickets for Josh Farley and one each for skipper Gary Chappell and Nic Bayly.
2nd XI.
Skipper Eliot Acton was the ‘star of the show’ as he led the 2nd XI to a five wicket at Topsham St James. After winning the toss and sticking the home side in, Acton claimed 2-17 from six overs and one ball while Joe Gillett bowled a superb spell that saw him take two wickets for just 16 runs from his nine overs while equally impressive was another youngster, Tom Kittow, who opened the bowling with Gillett and returned figures of 2-20 from eight overs. Eliza Heard was the other wicket taker, her figures being 1-15 from six and Eliza was responsible for one of the three run-outs, in her case with a direct hit of the stumps. Todd Scrace and Darren Paul were the other fielders to set up run-outs as the home side were bundled out for 142. The B&K reply saw three early wickets lost before Scott Chappell and Darren Paul added 41 for the fourth wicket. Paul eventually fell for a decent knock of 29 and this brough skipper Eliot Acton out to join Chappell. At drinks (23 overs) – B&K stood on 72-4 still needing another 72 to win. However, post drinks the skipper opened his shoulders to slam a 30-ball half century. What makes his innings all the more special was that he scored four runs from the first ten balls he received. He then let rip moving from four to fifty in just twenty deliveries! Fittingly it was Acton who hit the winning runs ending the contest unbeaten on 61 scored from just 39 balls, hitting nine fours and two sizes while the other not out batsman when then win was sealed was Scott Chappell who was unbeaten on 23.
3rd XI
Skipper Liam Reed led by example as his side chalked up a healthy 67-run win at Woodbury & Newton St Cyres 2nd XI. Chris Gillett top scored with a 66-ball 46 (eight fours) while other impressive contributions came from skipper Reed (36 from 40 balls with four fours) and opener Will Birley (20) while mention also must be made of an unbeaten 10-ball 11 scored by teenager Bobby Marsh as B&K were bowled out for 137 in 35.5 overs. The best of the partnerships was the one for the fifth wicket that realised 64 runs with the batters being Chris Gillett and Liam Reed. The home reply lost early wickets slipping to 31-7 thanks to excellent spells with the ball by James Mills and skipper Reed. The eighth wicket pairing threatened to spoil the day but Will Birley, with his very first delivery (thanks to a Lewis Coombes catch) bagged the eighth wicket and the end came soon after. Skipper Reed returned excellent figures of 4-20 from wight overs while the James Mills return was 3-12 from his eight overs as the home side were bowled out for just 70 in 28 overs and one ball.