How the 2021 Tolchards Devon League A Division title was won by the ‘Invincibles’…..
Here we present to you a game-by-game breakdown of how the Bradninch Cricket Club 1st XI won the Tolchards Devon League A Division title, going through the entire season unbeaten.
Matchday 1: Home versus Budleigh on May 1st.
The visitors won the toss and Bradninch were asked to bat first. The main knock of the innings came from Gary Chappell who hit 18 fours and six sixes in a 132-ball contribution of 140 not out – ‘Chaps’ carrying his bat from first ball to last! The ‘best of the rest’ was an unbeaten 34 (five fours and a six) from just 20 balls, from skipper Eliot Acton batting in the number 10 berth while Aryan Raigangar chipped in with 22 as Bradninch posted a total of 284-9. In terms of partnerships; Raigangar and Chappell put on 44 for the sixth wicket, Craig Penberthy and Chappell, 41 for the eighth wicket and there was 34 for the unbroken 10th wicket from last man Darren Paul and Chappell.
Budleigh were ultimately faced with a revised target of scoring 172 in 22 overs as rain struck the opening day of the season. The visitors ended the day on 135-7 from those 22 overs. Gary Chappell topped the bowling returns with figures of 2-29 and four others claimed a single wicket; Mitch Pugh, Josh Farley, Craig Penberthy and Aryan Raigangar while there was a runout with Thom Bunker responsible for that.
Matchday 2: Away versus Torquay on May 8th.
Just 28.3 overs were played on matchday two. After winning the toss, Bradninch skipper Eliot Acton stuck the home side in and, when the action was finally ended by the weather, Torquay were 122-2. Six different bowlers were used and there were single wickets for Ross Acton and Gary Chappell.
Matchday 3: Home versus Seaton on May 15th.
Not a ball was delivered with this match cancelled owing to the weather.
Matchday 4: Away versus Plympton on May 22nd.
Not a ball was bowled as rain meant no play was possible.
Matchday 5: Away versus Abbotskerswell on May 29th.
After winning the toss and opting to field first, Bradninch restricted the Abbots’ to a total of 221-5 with single wickets taken by Ross Acton, Josh Farley, Craig Penberthy, Aryan Raignangar and Gary Chappell.
Bradninch were led to a six wicket win by a 143-ball 122 from Gary Chappell (13 fours and three sixes). Dan Hardy scored a 67-ball 34 and Ross Acton was, like Chappell, unbeaten when the winning line was reached with ‘Roscoe’ hitting a four boundary 54-ball unbeaten 36. Chappell and Acton scored 108 for the unbroken fifth wicket while Hardy and Chappell added 99 runs for the third wicket.
Matchday 6: Home versus North Devon on June 5th.
North Devon won the toss and opted to bat first and they were promptly bowled out for 186 in 48.2 overs. All six bowlers used had success with the ball. Eliot Acton (2-13), Craig Penberthy (2-29), Mitch Pugh (2-54), Ross Acton (1-20) and Gary Chappell (1-29) and there was one run out (Rory Thomas).
Bradninch then eased their way to a six wicket win with just over 13 overs still to be bowled! Once again, Gary Chappell led the side home with a 110-ball 97 (13 fours and three sixes). Mitch Pugh hit a 55-ball, 10 boundary 55 and Pugh and Chappell added 115 runs for the third wicket.
Matchday 7: Away versus Barton on June 12th.
After winning the toss and batting first, Bradninch closed their 50 overs on 310-8. It was another big Chappell knock that led the way with ‘Chaps’ hitting a 137-ball, 153, with his innings including no fewer than 16 fours and six sixes. Dan Hardy hit a 57-ball 62, hitting 10 fours. In terms of partnerships; Chappell and Hardy added 140 for the fourth wicket while Pugh and Chappell put on 50 for the third wicket and there was also a 56 run partnership for the opening wicket between Thom Bunker and Chappell.
Barton were then bowled out for 108 in 42 overs with Ross Acton serving up the ‘stand-out’ bowling figures with a return of 3-11 from 10 overs! Josh Farley (3-20) and Mitch Pugh (3-26), also had impressive returns, both sending down 10 overs while Craig Penberthy (1-20 from four) claimed the other wicket.
Matchday 8: Away versus Cullompton on June 19th.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Bradninch were bowled out for 288 in 46.4 overs. Gary Chappell led the way with a 98-ball 92, hitting 11 fours and three sixes. Mitch Pugh scored a 72-ball 81 (11 fours and one six) and Thom Bunker chipped in with a 30-ball 26 (three fours and a six). In terms of partnerships, Josh Farley and Chappell put on 64 for the second wicket, Chappell and Pugh added 95 for the third and Bunker and Pugh put on 50 for the fifth.
Cullompton were then bowled out for 140 in 36 overs and one ball with Mitch Pugh taking 4-20 in 10 overs while the other wickets fell to Ross Acton (3-26), Gary Chappell (1-26) and Josh Farley (1-20). There was also a run-out with Thom Bunker responsible for this – his second run out of the campaign.
Matchday 9: Home versus Tavistock on June 26th.
Bradninch won the toss and batted first and were bowled out for 212 in 44 overs and two balls. At 199-5 a 250 plus score looked likely, but the final five wickets fell for just 13 runs! Ross Acton (57), Thom Bunker (45), Craig Penberthy (31) and Will Squire (25), were the principle run scorers. In terms of partnerships; Thom Bunker and Ross Acton added 55 runs for the second wicket while Craig Penberthy and Ross Acton added 60 for the fifth wicket.
Tavistock slipped to 6-3 before recovering and then, from 165-9, saw their last pair stay at the wicket through to stumps with the Tavvy reply closing on 209-9, leaving Bradninch winners by a margin of just THREE runs. The star of the show with the ball for Bradninch was undoubtedly Aryan Raigangar who was thrown the ball to send down the final over with Tavistock needing eight runs to win. In a superbly delivered final over the scoring was; dot, one, dot, one, one and 1 (leg bye). In terms of the Bradninch wicket taking; Ross Acton claimed a ‘fivefer’ returning splendid figures of 5-27 from 10 overs. Gary Chappell’s return was 3-30 from 10 and Ross Penberthy (1-47 from 10) also claimed a wicket.
Martchday 10: Away versus Budleigh
After winning the toss and asking Budleigh to bat, the home side slipped to 35-6 and then 56-7 before closing on 150-8 after their 50 overs. Ross Acton (2-19 from 10 overs), Gary Chappell (2-15 from 10 overs), Mitchell Pugh (2-20 from 10 overs), Eliot Acton (1-29 from five) and Craig Penberthy (1-26 from right) took the wickets.
Bradninch powered their way to an eight wicket win, finishing the day on 153-2 after 31 overs and three balls. Gary Chappell hit an unbeaten 90-ball 53 (eight fours and one six) and Ross Acton scored a 92-ball 72 with 13 fours. Acton and Chappell put on 132 for the second wicket.
Matchday 11: Home versus Torquay on July 10th.
The Covid pandemic led to the cancellation of this fixture
Matchday 12: Away versus Seaton on July 17th.
After losing the toss and fielding first, Bradninch bowled the home side out for 103 in 44.1 overs. Gary Chappell led the way with 4-21 from 9.1 overs. Ross Acton (3-11 from 10 overs), Josh Farley (2-22 from eight) and Mitchell Pugh (1-21 from 10 overs).
Bradninch eased to victory on 104-2 from just 13.5 overs. Chappell (59 from 47 balls with a dozen fours) and Thom Bunker (26 from 19 balls with six fours) led the way in terms of run scoring – the pair put on 59 for the first wicket.
Matchday 13: Home versus Plympton on July 24th.
After losing then toss and being asked to bat first Bradninch slipped to 171-6 before the tail wagged and so they were eventually bowled out for 224 in 41.3 overs. Gary Chappell hit a 73-ball 74 (11 fours and three sixes) while, batting at number five, Josh Farley hit a 59-ball 54 (seven fours) and skipper Eliot Acton chipped in with a 44-ball 28 (four 4s). Farley and Chappell added 108 runs for the fourth wicket and, what was ultimately to prove an important partnership, skipper Acton and Will Squire added 19 for the final wicket.
Plympton were then bowled out for 183 in 37.5 overs – this after being 145-6. All six bowlers claimed a wicket with Chappell claiming 3-25 from his nine overs and the other wicket takers were; Mitch Pugh (2-23 from 6.5), Josh Farley (2-45 from eight) and there were single wickets claimed byb Ross Acton, Craig Penberthy and Aryan Raigangar.
Matchday 14: Home versus Abbotskerswell on July 31st
This was a game hit by the rain and, ultimately, a 30-overs-per-side contest was played and, after losing the toss and batting first, Bradninch ended their 30 overs on 215-9. Gary Chappell (53 from 52 balls with three fours and two sixes), Rory Thomas (27 from 16 balls with three sixes) and skipper Eliot Acton (an unbeaten 39 from just 26 balls with five fours) were the principle run scorers. Important partnerships were undoubtedly the 34 runs for the ninth wicket between Ross Acton and Eliot Acton and the 35 runs for the unbroken 10th wicket scored by Eliot Acton and Aryan Raigangar.
Abbotskerswell were then bowled out for 109 in 26 overs with Gary Chappell (4-25 from five), Josh Farley (3-9 from three), the main wicket takers while there were single wickets for Ross Acton, Mitchell Pugh and Aryan Raigangar.
Matchday 15: Away versus North Devon on August 7th.
This match was cancelled owing to bad weather.
Matchday 16: Home versus Barton on August 14th.
This match was, like the one on July 10th, cancelled owing to the Covid pandemic.
Matchday 17: Home versus Cullompton on August 21
After winning the toss and inviting Cullompton to bat first, Bradninch skipper Eliot Acton saw his bowlers bundle out the visitors for just 97 in one ball shy of 24 overs. Ross Acton (3-34 from 10 overs), Mitch Pugh (3-43 from 10), Craig Penberthy (2-7) and Gary Chappell (1-6) shared the wicket taking.
Bradninch then sailed to a victory that was sealed before the Kensham Park clock had reached 3.30pm! Openers Chappell (59 from 32 balls with seven fours and three sixes) and Ross Acton (39 from 32 balls with seven fours), hurried the home side to a 10-wicket win.
Matchday 18: Away versus Tavistock on August 28th
On the final day of the league season, skipper Eliot Acton won the toss, opted to bat, and saw his side bowled out for 183 in 48 overs. Mitch Pugh top scored with 44 from 84 balls while Thom Bunker hit a run-a-ball 38, Dan Hardy chipped in with 23 and both Josh Farley and skipper Acton shipped in with knocks of 16.
Tavistock were then bowled out for 144 in 42.5 overs. Ross Acton topped the bowling returns with his splendid figures of 3-13 from a full shift of 10 overs and there were two wickets each from Gary Chappell (2-30 from 7.5 overs), Craig Penberthy (2-16 from six) and Aryan Raigangar (2-21 from nine) and Mitch Pugh claimed the other wicket as Bradninch completed an INVINCIBLE campaign!