from the boundary
News from Legendary statistician, Nicholas Evanson
thE BEST 1ST CLASS PERFORMANCE YET BY SONNY BAKER
Another 5WI for Sonny this time against Worcestershire CCC – his best yet! The figures beating those he achieved against Surrey CCC are:
20.1-2-72-5
Well Done Sonny
APPEAL FOR DRAW PRIZES
If there is anyone willing to donate a non-alcoholic draw prize for Saturday’s night draw in aid of Autistic After Hours, Evo would appreciate it,
SMASHING NEWS!
Three words, “What a Night” sums up what was witnessed at the Rec tonight.
Staffordshire Pirates posted a score of 204 for 8 in their 20 overs – surely enough!
T&K were reduced to 29 for 4. Then Nathan Roux rose from his sick bed to smash 153 in just 38 balls including 20 * 6s – remarkably the opposition spectators did want him to retire as they knew they were witnessing something very special. Their wish was granted and the ultimate happened 6 * 6s in an over – for the second time Evo was on a night off from scoring but witnessed it at the Rec. Roux’s strike rate was only 402.63! T&K won in just 13.5 overs. The club can report no humans were injured (except bowler’s pride and sore arms for chair, Steve Waters, who was umpiring) and no cars were hit. However, despite the best efforts of ace ball retriever, Luke Glasson, the 1st XI now has no warm up balls left! Special thanks must be given to Phil Sturman for scoring solo - it reminded Evo of a Sunday fixture v Tavistock many years ago when “Braddog” went on the loose with a 54 ball century - the 2nd 50 coming off just 14 balls. It would be wrong also not to give special thanks to Katie and Vanessa who were run off their feet in the kitchen. Finally, a note of thanks for the generosity of Staffordshire Pirates regarding the club’s fund raising for Autistic After Hours – the total now stands at about £150 (educated guess of Evo’s). Evo’s initiative will put the club in a better position when applying for grants in the future.
devon cricket league 2025 - round 13
1ST XI
The 1st XI headed over the Moor to take on the league leaders Tavistock CC 1st XI.
With the return of Hazza, normal service was resumed at the toss with Tavistock winning and asking T&K to have a bat. However, history was made at the toss with young Mark Wilson on the team sheet – the first T&K to play for all four XIs and probably the first player in the DCL to play for three clubs and seven XIs in the same season.
T&K got off to a rapid start thanks to Josh Thompson in his new role opening the batting as a pinch hitter – Thompson fell just two runs short of his fifty – being bowled by Harry Sawyers, one of Tavistock’s two immigrants from over the Tamar. However the early drama was after 11.3 overs when the sightscreen decided to go on its travels in the wind bringing back memories of Sightscreen Surfing of a few years back – ironically Josh Hunt who won gold in the Pairs Event that day was making a rare outing for the 2nd XI! Once Thompson was out for the second week running it became the Nathan Roux show, more on who was viewing it later – Roux finally fell for 101. Special mention must be made of the 27 scored by Chris Kelmere who prior to play had to call a COBRA meeting to see if he could play – more on that also later. No Tavistock bowler took more than two wickets and T&K posted 262 for 6 in their 50 overs.
In reply, Tavistock ran into Harry “grease lightning” Passenger who ran out both openers, William Barriball and David Manning. However, this enabled it to become the Rodney Mupfudza road show despite still struggling from the effects of being hit on the head playing for a Zimbabwe Representative XI during the week. Mupfudza finished undefeated on 125 supported by various cameos. Tavistock won by 6 wickets with 7 balls left – T&K paying the price for having to fiddle overs at the end something which Evo unfortunately predicted in the scorebox. No T&K bowler took more than one wicket.
Special mention must be made of Tavistock’s scorer, Kate Manning for demonstrating the Spirit of Cricket. T&Ks match ball was lost but Kate gave Evo a ball as Tavistock will go hunting later for the lost ball.
Next up for the 1st XI next weekend is hosting Cullompton CC 1st XI. This will be followed by Bax’s Karaoke Night combined with Evo’s fund raising effort for Autistic After Hours.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 262 for 6 (50 overs)
N Roux 101
J Thompson 48
Tavistock CC 1st XI 266 for 4 (48.5 overs)
R Mupfudza 125 not out
W Scott-Munden 40
Tavistock CC 1st XI (18 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (7 pts) by 6 wickets
2ND XI
The 2nd XI played host to Kenn CC 1st XI. However, disaster nearly struck mid-morning. Heavy rain and no players from the 2nd XI had taken responsibility for putting the covers to Friday night. Fortunately three of the 1st XI and a committee came to the rescue before the damage was beyond repair.
Under the leadership again of Vivek Kulkarii, T&K lost the toss any were asked to bat.
Tobias Delahunty led the way with the bat for T&K – falling just 12 runs short of a century. Delahunty was supported by Josh Hunt with 41 – such a pity he can’t commit more to playing. James Mason, formerly of this parish, with 3 for 37 was the best of the Kenn bowlers as T&K reached 237 for 8 in their 45 overs,
In reply Kenn’s reply was like a horror show thanks to one bowler, Towkir Chowdhury who took 7 for 30. At one stage Kenn were 17 for 7. Only Charles Francis with 16 not out and no 11 Peter Chislett with 11 made double figures as Kenn were all out for 46 in just 16.1 overs.
Next up for the 2nd XI next weekend is a trip to take on Yelverton Bohemians CC 1st XI, one of the original teams in the DCL.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI 237 for 8 (45 overs)
T Delahunty 88
J Hunt 41
J Mason 3-37
Kenn CC 1st XI 46 all out (16.1 overs)
T Chowdhury 7-30
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd (20 pts) beat Kenn CC 1st XI (5 pts) by 191 runs
3RD XI
The 3rd XI set off on their travels to take on Hatherleigh CC 3rd XI is the hope they would score more runs than the 1st and 2nd XIs did when they travelled to Hatherleigh.
Hatherleigh won the toss and asked T&K to have a bat.
Preshit Pawar led the way for T&K smashing 60 which included 8 * 6s! Pawar was supported by Craig Davies with 45 as T&K scored 196 for 7 in their 40 overs. The best of the Hatherleigh bowlers was Harry Sibcy with 4 for 33.
In reply it was left to another Sibcy, Jim, to lead a thrilling run case with 77. When Sibcy was 9th out, Hatherleigh needed just 5 runs to win with 7 overs remaining. However, Hatherleigh fell 3 runs short thanks primarily to Preshit Pawar with 4 for 40.
The 3rd XI can put their feet up next weekend before returning to action the following weekend home to Shobrooke Park CC 2nd XI.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI 196 for 7 (40 overs)
P Pawar 60
C Davies 45
H Sibcy 4-33
Hatherleigh CC 3rd XI 193 all out (34.3 overs)
J Sibcy 77
P Pawar 4-40
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI (19 pts) beat Hatherleigh CC 3rd XI (7 pts) by 3 wickets
4TH XI
The 4th XI played host to Thorverton CC 3rd XI with a full XI including the legend that is Phil “Braddog” Bradford who in the XIs hour of need came out of retirement after the best part of 20 years to play.
T&K won the toss and asked Thorverton to have a bat.
Aidan Lee top scored for Thoverton with 37, followed by Vishnu Nambiar with 35 and Archie Davidson with 31 as Thoverton reached 183 all out in 36.4 overs. The best of the T&K bowlers was Meerwais Dilsouz, on loan from Exwick CC, with 4 for 23.
In reply, having starred with the ball last week, Matt Rossin starred with the bat this week for T&K scoring 69. As for Phil Bradford he scored a sedate 24 off 40 balls which did though include 4 * 4s. The best of the Thorverton bowlers was Vishnu Nambiar with 3 for 32. Another loan player, Stephen Jones from Honiton CC, got T&K over the line with a four with 3 wickets in hand and 8 balls to spare.
Next up for the 4th XI is hosting St Marychurch Old Boys 1st XI next weekend.
Thorverton CC 3rd XI 183 all out (36.4 overs)
A Lee 37
V Nambiar 35
A Davidson 31
M Dilsouz 4-23
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI 187 for 7 (37.4 overs)
M Rossin 69
V Nambiar 3-32
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI (20 pts) beat Thorverton CC 3rd XI (7 pts) by 3 wickerts
Player of the Day
Towkir Chowdhury and Nathan Roux were clear candidates. However, for his all-round performance it has to go to Preshit Pawar.
Spectator Watch
Merli Roux must get a mention having been given the day off from “hatch duties” travelled down to Tavistock with Kay Kulkarni to see hubby score his second successive century. However, special mention must be made of Chris Kelmere snr that despite major logistical issues having wife Di in hospital, the club send her their best wishes for a speedy recovery, still travelled down to Tavistock so not to miss a cricket day.
excellent news - the 4th XI continue
Under the leadership of Ollie Smith the 4th XI will fulfill their home fixture v Thorverton CC 3rd XI tomorrow. Included in the XI is a legend of yesteryear, a certain Mr Phillip “Braddog” Bradford who after the best part of 20 years since he last played has answered the SOS to help save the 4th XI.
DEadline day - 8 august
There is still time to nominate people for The Cricketer Toyota Good For Cricket Awards 2025. The link is:
Bax’s karaoke night now supporting auTistic after hours
Saturday 2 August - the Karaoke Evening being organised by Bax’s is now also supporting Autistc After Hours. While Bax’s is still organising the Karaoke, Evo is now organising the fund raising for an organisation extremely close to his heart, although he might take to the microphone with a song from 1963! In all seriousness though, if anyone would like to donate a draw prize please let him know. For those who don’t wish to attend there will be bucket collections over the next few weeks.
NEW CLUB XI MAKES ITS DEBUT ON TUESDAY AT THE REC
Under the leadership of Bobby Western the U19s take on Bovey Tracey U19s in the County T20 Competition this Tuesday starting at 6pm, Please come and support the starlets of the club.
DEVON cRICKET LEAGUE 2025 - ROUND 12
1ST XI
The 1st XI played host to Bovey Tracey CC 1st XI with Frank Bruno’s expression “Where’s Harry” coming to mind with the skipper sunning himself in Corfu. From beyond the grave, Ray Batten’s equally famous expression. “call yourself a cricketer” has also been heard rather loudly. As a result of lax administration by numerus senior players, Nathan Roux had to captain the side as the last ”senior” eligible person standing with young Bobby Western as vice-captain. One can only hope the umpires get marked in time!
The match also saw the return of Mike Pugh aged ** to the 1st XI. Let’s just say the youngest five player’s ages combined fell well short of the combined ages of the two oldest players and one of the youngsters was 24!
There was a surprise not at the toss, T&K actually won the toss and decided to field.
Harry Baxendale soon made Bovey Tracey in trouble with 2 LBWs in 2 balls – alas no hat trick. BTs innings was built around Jake Pascoe, Pascoe became the third of Baxendale’s wicket – bowled for 84. Whilst Baxendale with 4 for 24 will take the bowling plaudits, special mention must be made of young Bobby Western claiming 3 for 46 with his rarely used spin including danger man Seb Ansley. BT were all out for 196 in 47.1 overs.
In reply T&K got off to a reasonable start with the new opening partnership of Tim Western and Josh Thompson, before Western was out for 10. Mr Treasurer it does have to be reported though the 3rd lost ball in the 1st 5 overs and you know what that means! Western’s dismissal allowed Nathan Roux to come to the crease and everything was going swimmingly well until Thompson was flor 41 with the score on 110. The wheels then started to fall off thanks to Will Christophers taking 5 for 26 who was also on a hat trick at one stage. However, there was a captain’s performance(!) by Roux nursing the tail and there was the perfect ending – hitting a 4 to win and in the process bringing up his century (102 not out) plus a vital extra batting point. A win with over 8 overs to spare.
Next up for the 1st XI next weekend is a trip to take on the league leaders, Tavistock CC 1st XI where Sightscreen Surfing debuted as a sport a few years ago.
Whilst the crucial table is the League Table itself, alas there is also a Fair Play Table which sees T&K languishing in 8th place after nine matches and a certain club isn’t below T&K. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency but interestingly T&K would be top in the Premier Division.
Bovey Tracey CC 1st XI 196 all out (47.1 overs)
J Pascoe 84
S Harvey 32
H Baxendale 4-24
B Western 3-46
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 200 for 8 (41.5 overs)
N Roux 102 not out
J Thompson 41
W Christophers 5-26
S Ansley 3-60
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (20 pts) beat Bovey Tracey CC 1st XI (7 pts) by 2 wicket
2ND XI
The 2nd XI travelled to the home of the finest cricket teas in Devon AKA Hatherleigh CC to take on their 2nd XI under yet another skipper, Vivek Kulkarni – is the club trying to set a league record for most captains for a XI in a season!
T&K won the toss and elected to field.
Unfortunately T&K ran into several Hatherleigh batters who wanted a smashing time at the crease – Jack Probert was the most sedate with an undefeated 52 off 67 balls. However, Henry D'alberti-Nicholson smashed 61 off 34 balls and Luke Westcott smashed 70 off just 35 balls (I suspect Richard Tidball will be trying to access the builder’s yard – according to his wife Sue, he values spare balls as much as Evo). Hatherleigh amassed 283 for 7 in their 45 overs with the best of the T&K bowlers being Towkir Chowdhury with 2 for 24.
In reply the T&K batters did a Harry Houdini act – all out for just 81 in just 26.4 overs. (Clearly T&K batters don’t like batting at Hatherleigh this season when you consider the 1st XIs woeful effort.) The one batter who did come out with some credit though was young Fin Pinder who was undefeated on 15 off just 18 balls. The damage was done by Carl Downes with 4 for 23 and Cameron Rowlands with 3 for 16,
Next up for the 2nd XI, in their fight against relegation, next weekend is home a match against Kenn CC 1st XI. Will it be a case of “Matthew our captain today is …”
Hatherleigh CC 2nd XI 283 for 7 (45 overs)
L Westcott 70
H D'alberti-Nicholson 61
J Probert 52 not out
T Chowdhury 2-24
Torquay and Kngskerswell CC 2nd XI 81 all out (26.4 overs)
V Kulkarni 18
F Pinder 15 not out
C Downes 4-23
C Rowlands 3-16
Hatherleigh CC 2nd XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI (5 pts) by 202 runs
3RD XI
The 3rd XI took on Paignton 4th XI at home with a special guest Ed Sheeran playing -sadly not the real one but, Matthew Fisher, who is a tribute act and is currently working,
Paignton won the toss and elected to bat.
Paignton collapsed to 121 all out in just 27.1 overs. Ady Zimunu taking 3 for 25 but missing out on a hat trick which would have straddled two matches. However, the star of the show was Matt Rossin with 6 for 29. The best of Paignton batters was Billy Criddle with 49
In reply and not wanting to be out done by their fellow C&K old boy. Steve Waters with 56 not out and Mike Etherington with 55 not out knocked the total off without T& K losing a wicket.
Next up for the 3rd XI, in their battle against relegation, is a trip next weekend to take on Hatherleigh CC 3rd XI – one can hope they have better luck batting then 1st and 2nd XIs.
Paignton CC 4th XI 121 all out (27.1 overs)
B Criddle 49
M Rossin 6-29
A Zimunu 3-25
Torquay CC 3rd XI 124 for 0 (19.5 overs)
S Waters 56 not out
M Etherington 55 not out
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI (20 pts) beat Paignton CC 4th XI (3 pts) by 10 wickets
4TH XI
It is now “Last Chance Saloon”, having to concede a 3rd match brings the 4th XI to the precipice of automatic expulsion from the DCL (although subsequent fixtures could be played for nil points). The consequences for the future of the club if this happens are extremely serious – can the something like 80 registered players look themselves in the face? It is no fault of skipper, Ollie, who travelled down from London each weekend to play and Vivek’s “little black book” – they have done their best for the club. Whether the 4th XI decide to try and battle on – news on this as we have it.
Player of the Day
One has to make a joint award this week. Nathan Roux for nursing the tail to enable the 1st XI to secure a vital win and Matt Rossin for his fine bowling performance for the 3rd XI.
Spectator Watch
It was good to see legendary local sports reporter, Dave Thomas, catching some 1st XI action before heading up to Plainmoor.
exciting edi news
The club are pleased to announce that following negotiations over the past 24 hours between key volunteers it will be supporting Autistic After Hours which is a community interest company which is currently supporting a key volunteer within the club (those who know know) enabling them to continue to continue in carry out multiple crucial roles within the club. Evo the club’s EDI Officer who is the driving force behind this will give more details as the plan develops but he has wasted no time in getting a mum of one of the All Stars on-board – she helps to teach autistic children. For those who want to find out more about the organisation the link to the website is:
free online opportunity to learn the basics of umpiring
The club is always looking for umpires especially with the successful return of Junior Cricket, Now this is your opportunity to learn the basics and help Get The Game On for the potential stars of the future. You never know where it might regarding your enjoyment of the game. The link to the module is:
more umpires needed
Well here is your chance for free to learn the Laws:
No umpires = no games (think about it).
a message from hollacombe crc
" We have been enjoying getting to know Nick and some of the players from Torquay and Kingskerswell Cricket Club, they have been really proactive in enabling our guys who have a range of disabilities / complex needs to participate in a variety of cricketing skills, this helps with social interaction and a range of motor skills. Nick and the players have worked really hard to ensure that our guys disabilities are not a barrier to having fun. We have all enjoyed being part of their community."
more photos from hollacombe’s visit
A special thank you to Di and Chris for being so supportive - you don’t know what it meant.
