Bradninch 1st XI banked 19 precious points in a five wicket win at Sidmouth to move to within 14 points of the summit of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League Premier Division and, with just three games remaining, and two of them against the sides sitting first and second – Ninch are currently fourth – Gary Chappell and his men, already through to the Vitality Club T20 Cup Area Finals on August 28, are within touching distance of etching their name in BCC cricketing history as they are well placed to complete the clubs most successful season – arguably of all time!
When Sidmouth skipper Luke Bess won the toss at a sun kissed Fortfield, he was very quick to opt to bat first, but he could not have foreseen how his sides innings would end up!
Another wonderful all-round effort with the ball – young Josh Farley continuing where he had left off just six days before at Bridgwater CC in the T20 Area Finals (the youngster claimed a fivefer in the semi-final win over Bristol) – as Sidmouth were bundled out for just 101 in 35 overs and four balls!
It was third change Farley who took the bowling honours with a return of four wickets for four runs from four overs and four balls.
The early wickets were claimed by Ross Acton and Chad Classen as Sidmouth fund themselves 8-2, then 40-5 before a ‘slight’ recovery saw them add 38 for the sixth wicket, but then 78-5 was soon 101 all out thanks to that Farley ‘fourfer’.
Chad Classen’s return was 2-25 from 10 overs while Ross Acton’s return was 2-26, also from 10. Mitch Pugh, on as first change, had a return of 2-23 from five while skipper Gary Chappell sent down six overs (1-22) – but it was that Farley spell that ‘polished’ off another excellent afternoons work by the Ninch bowlers.
The run chase did not get off to the best of starts as skipper Gary Chappell was trapped leg before for seven, fellow opener Josh Farley was bowled without troubling the scorers and number three bat Ros Acton was trapped leg before for five.
There were two more wickets lost in an ultimately successful run chase – Tim Piper, caught for a nine ball 20 and Eliot Acton suffering a similar fate for his 22-ball 21. Mitch Pugh was the batsman who ‘settled’ the Ninch nerves, hitting a 36-ball eight boundary unbeaten 35 and the other not out batsman was Chad Classen with six from four balls as Ninch closed out a five wicket win in just 16 overs and three balls.