A 71-run partnership, scored inside a dozen overs, for the unbroken fifth wicket between Connor Carthew (44 not out) and Joe Gillett (30 not out), saw B&K 2nd XI to a five wicket home win over Barnstaple & Pilton 1st XI when the pair met at Kensham Park in a Tolchards Devon League D Division East game.
James Mills, skippering for the day, lost the toss and saw his opposite number opt to bat first. Joe Gillett opened the bowling and he struck as early as the fourth delivery of the match to leave Barum 6-1.
Gillett went on to send down six overs in his opening spell, one that finished with him having figures of 1-21.
The Skipper shared the new ball duties with young Gillett and Mills sent down six overs for just 21 runs.
Ankit Badwal was the first change and he claimed the second wicket of the afternoon thanks to a Josh Stewart catch that ended the knock of James Rowe, sent back with 14 runs to his name to leave the visitors on 59-2 in one ball shy of 15 overs.
That score moved on to 87-2 after 20 overs with Barum seemingly well placed for a maximum batting points score in excess of 200.
Badwal claimed a second wicket – knocking over the stumps to end the knock of Jimmer Thomas, who was sent back with a 70-ball 39 to his name which left the visitors on 91-3 after 21 overs.
At drinks (23 overs), the score was 102-3 and the fourth wicket pairing took the score to 107 when Todd Scrase, on as the fourth change bowler, hit the stumps in his first over.
It was soon five down with Joshua Stewart becoming the latest home bowler to hit the stumps as the 29th over started with Barum on 119-5.
Todd Scrase made it three overs and two wickets – both clean bowled – to see the visitors slip to 122-6 after 29 overs.
Teenager Joshua Stewart bagged himself a second wicket to leave Barum seven down with 133 runs on the board after 34 overs. Stewart then took his personal wicket taking tally to three thanks to a catch held by Morgan Lamey and, after 36 overs, the visitors were 143-8.
The Barum innings closed on 180-9 after 45 overs with that ninth and final wicket claimed by Joe Gillett thanks to a catch held by wicket keeper Jed Findlay. In terms of the home bowling effort the best of the returns was the Josh Stewart return of 3-30 from nine overs. Joe Gillett had a fine return of 2-28 from nine while Ankit Badwal also claimed a brace of wickets with his return being 2-31 from six and Todd Scrase claimed the other two wickets with his return being 2-24 from eight.
Jedd Findlay and Morgan Lamey launched the run chase and the pair had 22 runs on then board when, to the final delivery of the sixth over, Findlay was caught and sent back with a 20-ball 12 to his name.
Lamey was joined by Todd Scrase, but the latter fell to the final delivery of the 11th over – bowled for a 14-ball two and B&K were 37-2.
It was soon 54-3 with Freddie Gillett bowled for a 10-ball one. This brought Connor Carthew out to join opener Lamey and the pair took B&K to 94-3 at drinks, needing 107 runs from the remaining 22 overs.
Lamey’s 50 came up from 63 balls with the young man hitting seven fours. At drinks Carthew was on 10 scored off 30 balls and the pair had put on 40 for the unbroken fourth wicket.
Post drinks the pair added another 16 before Lamey perished, but not before he had hit a ten boundary 72-ball 66. The loss of Lamey left the run chase on 110-4 in the 25th over.
Joe Gillett joined Connor Carthew and from this point on there was to be no further drama for the home faithful as the home pair eased their side to victory adding 70 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket.
Carthew – who scored a half century in his last league innings – finished unbeaten on 44, scored off 68 balls faced, hitting three fours whilst Gillett ended unbeaten on 30, scored off 38 deliveries and he hit four fours.