Bradninch & Kentisbeare 3rds suffered a heavy 326 run defeat when they entertained Sandford III in a Tolchards Devon League G Division East game played at Rectory Park, Kentisbeare.
The visitors won the toss and opted to bat and their eventual total of 384 from 39 overs and five balls was very much down to an outstanding (and big hitting) innings from opener Elliott Butterfield who hit no fewer than 18 fours and eleven sixes in his 74-ball 162. Zack Blewett chipped in with 40 and there were 45 extras.
Credit must go to third team skipper Liam Reed and his team for they did manage to once again claim maximum bowling points – taking all 10 wickets and there was a very special reason for celebration as youngster Faye Ross claimed three wickets on her senior XI debut.
The youngster had one wicket from a direct delivery that knocked over the stumps and her other two wickets came courtesy of catches held by Alan Rodgers and another youngster – indeed even younger than the bowler – Jackson Reed.
The Faye Ross return was 3-45 from six overs and the best return in terms of economy – and it really was impressive – was the return of skipper Liam Reed who took 2-40 and, in a contest that saw the batting side finish with an average of over nine runs for each over bowled, skipper Reed sent down a full compliment of overs and only went for 5.11 per over.
The other bowling returns were: Alan Rodgers (1-76 from eight), Oliver Smith (1-33 from two), Jackson Reed (1-34 from five) – WELL BOWLED YOUNG MAN – and George Holding (1-57 from five). There was one run out with skipper Liam Reed responsible for this and catches were held by Steve Marsh (two), Bobby Marsh, Jackson Reed, Chris Gillett, Alan Rodgers and Liam Reed.
When B&K batted wickets fell at regular intervals – indeed, from 42-3 they slipped to 58 all out, losing the last seven wickets for 16 runs in 12 overs and one ball!
Opener Chris Gillett hit a 25-ball 16 and that score was matched by George Holding who faced 15 balls for his contribution. Stephen Ryan, who opened the innings with Gillett and number three bat Bobby Marsh both perished for one run while Peter Kittow was caught off the first ball he received.
Young Faye Ross had a five ball duck, the even younger Jackson Reed had a seven ball duck and Steve Marsh fell for a three ball duck. Skipper Liam Reed scored 10 from the 12 balls he received and Alan Rodgers scored six from the nine balls he faced.
Glynn Baker with 4-11 from six overs and Jemima Veriker, with 3-5 from 2.4 overs did the bulk of the damage in terms of the Sandford bowling effort.
Finally, one MASSIVE highlight today was young Jackson reed going out to bat with his big brother Liam (the team skipper) – what a WONDERFUL MOMENT that was.