Bradninch won their final warm-up game ahead of the Tolchards Devon League Premier Division campaign that starts with a trip to Hatherleigh next Saturday (May 7) when they defeated Exeter by 74 runs in an entertaining encounter at Kensham Park.
It was a game of many fine individual shifts – from players on both sides – and the contest also produced one of the finest catches ever seen at the ground!
Bradninch skipper Gary Chappell won the toss and opted to bat on what did look a ‘peach’ of a batting track prepared by ‘Ninch’ groundsman Peter Woodman.
Chappell and Joshua Farley launched the home batting effort and made excellent progress against the new ball that was taken, for Exeter, by Joe Gore and 16-year-old Oscar Lovell. ‘Chaps’ made his way regally to another half century, indeed, trading almost entirely in boundaries, the Ninch skipper had scored 54 from just 32 deliveries when he retired with his wicket intact. At that point, ‘Chaps’ and Josh Farley had put on 95 in 10 overs!
Ross Acton took over from the skipper but, just eight runs later, Farley was trooping back to pavilion having scored 27, trapped leg before by Billy Buckingham and Acton was soon back in the hutch with him when, on eight, he was caught and bowled by a superb take from second change Patrick Elway.
That left the score on 111-3 after 14 overs. Tom Piper joined Dan Hardy and the pair had added 47 when Piper feathered one to Exeter wicket keeper and skipper Robin Fern off the bowling of Jehan Daniel. Daniel, who had only arrived in the country in the past week, making an impressive debut with the County Ground men. Piper was out for 30 and he was replaced by Thom Bunker who then added 58 with Hardy before Bunker became the fourth wicket to fall, in his case dismissed by a smart stumping by Fern off the bowling of Buckingham for 34.
Just one run later Hardy became wicket number five, bowled by Buckingham for 25 which left the Ninch score on 217-5 a couple of deliveries into the 34th over.
Darren Paul was then joined by South African Luan Liebenberg who had answered an SOS on social media for anybody who fancied a game and the Alphington Wear overseas player for this season got in touch to say he’d love an outing. The South African put bat to ball with great effect as he and Paul added 48 in just six overs before Paul became the sixth and final Ninch wicket to fall, but not before he had hit 16. Liebenberg went on to finish unbeaten on 67 from just 31 balls faced – his 50 came up in 27 balls! The other not out batsman at the close was Ankit Badwal with 11 as Bradninch closed on an impressive 318-6 after 45 overs.
For Exeter, third change Billy Buckingham had the pick of the bowling returns with figures of 3-54 while there were single wickets for Joe Gore, Jehan Daniel and Patrick Elway.
The Exeter reply was given a fine start with Harry Fisher and Freddie Cockram adding 52 for the first wicket before Cockram was bowled by Ross Acton for 19. A dozen runs were added before Fisher joined his fellow opener back in the pavilion, in his case, trapped leg before by Gary Chappell.
Toby Jones was next to depart, another to be trapped leg before by the Bradninch skipper and, when Patrick Elway was trapped leg before by Joshua Fairly, Exeter were 99-4 with 21 of their 45 overs completed. Farley struck again when the score was on 106, clean bowling Billy Buckingham when the Exeter all-rounder had scored 4.
Exeter newcomer Jehan Daniel hit some of the biggest sixes smashed towards the Mill at Kensham Park before he fell to a stunning catch down by the shed, a catch held, on the move, by Tim Piper who injured himself in the process – but it was a catch that many observers agreed now sits amongst the top three or four catches ever held at Kensham Park!
That superb catch gave Farley a third wicket and saw an end to the entertainment served by Daniel in his cameo of 28 from 23 balls faced. Two runs later and James Mills struck thanks to a catch behind by Darren Paul leaving Exeter on 122-4 in the 28th over.
Joe Gore was joined by Oscar Lovell and the pair added an excellent 50 runs for the eighth wicket which was that of young Lovell, caught by Liebenberg off the bowling of Thom Bunker.
That was as good as it got for the Bradninch bowlers as skipper Gary Chappell shared the bowling duties out.
It all meant that Joe Gore was able to reach a half century – a fine one too – as he ended unbeaten on 54 from 46 deliveries and 16-year-old Harry Williams was unbeaten on 25 as Exeter closed on 244-8 after their 45 overs.
Josh Farley took the home bowling honours in terms of taking wickets with his return of 3-33 from five overs while skipper Chappell’s return was 2-18 from seven overs – three of which were maidens. James Mills, Ross Acton and Thom Bunker each claimed a single wicket and the others to turn their arms over were Luan Liebenberg, Darren Paul, Ankit Badwal and Charlie Cook.
So, a 74 run win for Bradninch in a thoroughly entertaining game.
Now attention turns to the start of a new season and the 1st XI trip to Hatherleigh with the 2nd XI entertaining Kentisbeare.