The 2nd XI batting performance up at Braunton on matchday four of the season saw Chris Acton and his men chalk up the highest score by a Bradninch 2nd XI side in a league contest (357-5) – certainly since 2002.
We have been back through the past score books and, over the course of the past 20 years the BCC 2nd XI have recorded scores of 300 or more on just FIVE occasions.
They did it in 2018 when scoring 324-7 at home to Seaton II who were then bowled out for 163 in 39.1 overs).
Three times in the 2019 season, the 2nd XI reached a 300 plus score starting with the 304-5 in the home meeting with Bideford Littleham & Westward Ho! 2nd XI on matchday one of the season. The visitors were then bowled out for 154 in 40.5 overs.
Later that same season in a game against Sidmouth III played at Newton Poppleford, the Ninch 2nd XI posted a score of 342-6 and then bowled the home side out for 106 in 23.1 overs.
The third time in 2019 was in the final game of the season when the team scored 309-5 at home to North Devon II who were then bowled out for 234 in 40.3 overs.
And now we have matchday four of the 2022 campaign and the ‘highest score to date’ by the team in a league game – 357-5.
See below for the match details and the full XI in each of the five games over the past two decades that have seen our 2nd XI score 300 plus in a league game.
June 16, 2018 HOME versus Seaton II
Bradninch 2nds scored 324-7 with Ross Acton top scoring with 140. Others too get runs were Thom Bunker (81), Will Birley (39) and Paul Nott (26). Seaton II were then bowled out for 163 in 39.1 overs with Wil Birley (2-10), Thom Bunker (2-15), Ross Acton (2-20) and Bryn Jones (2-25) and Rob Acton (1-29), the wicket takers.
Team: Ross Acton (Capt), Christopher Dean (WK), Rob Acton, Will Birley, Jordan Biss, Thom Bunker, Christopher Dean, Bryn Jones, Charlie Piper, Paul Nott and Liam Reed.
May 4, 2019 HOME v Bideford Littleham & Westward Ho! II
Bradninch 2nds scored 304-5 with Connor Carthew top scoring with an unbeaten 90 while the other main contributions were 75 from Paul Nott and 40 from Kalann Nessling. The visiting side were then bowled out for 154 in 40.5 overs. Craig Penberthy (3-13), Chris Acton (2-22), Rob Acton (2-26), James Mills (2-38) and Kalann Nessling (1-28) were the wicket takers.
Team: Connor Carthew (Capt), Bryn Jones (WK), Rob Acton, Chris Acton, Christopher Dean, Tom Hardy, James Mills, Kalann Nessling, Paul Nott, Craig Penberthy and Ryan Shrewsberry.
July 27, 2019 AWAY versus SIDMOUTH III (played at Newton Poppleford)
Bradninch 2nds scored 342-6 with Will Birley unbeaten on 109. Others to get runs were Tallan Burns (67), Will Greig (34), Ryan Shrewsberry (30), Nick Acton (25), Max Cooper (23) and James Mills with an unbeaten 21. Sidmouth III were then bowled out for 106 in 23.1 overs with Will Grieg the main wicket taker with figures of 4-29. James Mills (2-37) and Liam Reed (2-21) were the other wicket takers.
Team: Connor Carthew (Capt), Jordan Biss (WK), Nick Acton, Rob Acton, Will Birley, Tallon Burns, Max Cooper, Will Greig, James Mills, Liam Reed and Ryan Shrewsberry
August 31, 2019 HOME versus North Devon II
Bradninch 2nds scored 309-5 with Leon Horn hitting a 75-ball 100. Others to score runs were Will Birley (45), Will Greig (42no) and Gary Chappell (38). Chappell then took 5-29 in 7.3 overs and there were wickets also for Thom Bunker (2-27) James Mills and Rob Acton.
Team: Will Grieg (Capt), Jordan Biss (WK), Rob Acton, Ross Acton, Will Birley, Thom Bunker, Gary Chappell, Connor Carthew, Leon Horn, James Mills and Liam Reed.
And now, setting the new record……..
May 28, 2022 AWAY verus Braunton II.
Bradninch 2nds 357-5 with Sam Franks (92), Ankit Badwal (91), Will Birley (73) and Dave Penberthy (73 not out), scoring the runs, Braunton II then closed on 262-8 with Sam Franks (3052), Ryan Shrewsberry (2-26) Chris Acton (1-27), Nick Acton (1-45) and Mark Perrott (1-58) the wicket takers.
Team*: Chris Acton (Capt), Dave Penberthy (WK), Nick Acton, Ankit Badwal, Will Birley, Jovi Jenkins, Sam Franks, Paul Nott, Dave Penberthy and Ryan Shrewsberry
(* Bradninch 2nds had just 10 men on duty at Braunton II).