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.