DEVON CRICKET LEAGUE 2026 - ROUND 11
1ST XI
The 1st XI set off for a Pre-Match Breakfast well organised by Ed Smout Cooper at Bovey Tracey Golf Club but not before a bit of drama and we aren’t talking about the tragic murder of Anne Widdecombe not 10 minutes away from Bovey Tracey’s ground but “oh no who is picking up the warm up bag.” Benjamin Passenger please will you give your son 100 lines “I must get more organised.”
On arrival at the ground there was a little more drama – DACO could only find one umpire for the match, so Chris Sleep ironically their Appointments Officer had to do both ends with players doing Square League. Harry Pasenger led by example thus gaining a bit of kudos despite his earlier misdemeanour by taking his turn out in the middle.
Despite earlier rumours there was no Minute’s Silence for Anne Widdecombe nor was the flag flown at half-mast.
In the heat, TKCC wanted to win the toss and bat first. Hazza’s record with the toss is clearly improving and this was achieved. Alas there was a recurring theme with Josh “bish bosh out” Thompson soon out and he was soon joined back in the pavilion by Ben Pomare and Niall McCarthy. Not before the latter scored a 4 with the very first ball since re-joining the club. However, this left the stage clear for a sizzling run a ball, 102, by Ed Smout Cooper. TKCC were all out with a ball to go having scored 257 – the best of the BT bowlers being Hem Chetri with 4 for 30 and Gethin Williams with 3 for 33. Mention must be made of BT’s skipper, Seb Ansley with 3 catches although he did remarkably drop one.
In reply BT’s innings got off to a disastrous start with Jake Pascoe being trapped LBW by Harry Paseenger for a 2nd ball duck. Further early damage was done by Alex Peggie who travelled down from Surrey to help out in the absence of Kazi “oh my side” Szymanski – Peggie going onto claim 2 for 27. Harry Mount repaired the early damage before becoming a victim of Cramp on 72 although he did return later before being out for 77. That along with the fine catch in the deep by Dan Western off the bowling of Chris Kelmere to remove the dangerous Seb Ansley for 32 were the two real turning points in BT’s innings. However, mention must also be made of the earlier juggling catch to remove Hem Chetri for a duck – there is no truth in the rumour that he will be appearing in Barnum at the Princess Theatre. BT were all out for 180 in 36.3 overs – come the end it was a bit like Emergency Ward 10 with poor Chris Sleep narrowly avoiding have to deal with two runners at the same time which would have been a first for him. BT’s tail was mopped up by Chris Kelmere with 3 for 23 and Ritesh Dabhade, who nearly signed for Exeter CC this season, with 3 for 36. Kudos to Alex Peggie for ensuring the match ball was returned to Evo.
Next up for the 1st XI on Wednesday is to host Paignton CC 1st XI in the 2nd generation South Devon T20 Cup before hosting North Devon CC 1st XI next weekend in the a top of the table clash.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 257 all out (49.5 overs)
E Smout Cooper 102
H Chatri 4-30
G Williams 3-33
Bovey Tracey CC 1st XI 180 (36.3 overs)
H Mount 77
C Kelmere 3-23
R Dabhade 3-36
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (20 pts) beat Bovey Tracey CC 1st XI (8 pts) by 77 Runs
2ND XI
The 2nd XI played host to the Brockman Cup champions, Barton CC 2nd XI with a point to prove and oh boy did they do it in style.
TKCC won the toss and elected to bat or should that be to put the Barton bowlers to the sword. Poor Tom Lillywhite you have to feel sorry for him out for just 29, Exiting the stage though he left it to Tim Western (128 not out) and Tobias Delahunty (152 not out) – whilst Western was a run a ball, Delahunty’s knock was at a SR of 172.73. The unbeaten 2nd wicket partnership of 257 wasn’t a record for D Division West – ironically Barton CC 2nd XI had been mauled even more by two Hatherleigh CC 2nd XI batters in 2024. TKCC finished on 326 for 1 in their 45 overs.
In reply Barton stumbled to 121 all out in just 23.1 overs with skipper Tom Porter top scoring with just 21. The trio of player’s formerly of this parish scored just a combined total of 33. The best TKCC bowler was Luke Glasson with 3 for 40.
Next up for the 2nd XI next weekend is a trip to take on Plymstock CC 2nd XI. CONGRATULATIONS TO FORMER PLYMSTOCK CC PLAYER, HEATHER KNIGHT, ON HER RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL CRICKET.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI 326 for 1 (45 overs)
T Delahunty 152 not out
T Western 128 not out
Barton CC 2nd XI 121 all out (23.1 overs)
T Porter 21
L Glasson 3-40
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd (20 pts) beat Barton CC 2nd XI (2 pts) by 205 Runs
3RD XI
Full scorecard not currently available
4TH XI
The 4th XI under the leadership of Matt Rossin played host to St Marychurch Old Boys CC 1st XI and lady luck clearly was on their side with last week’s debutant, Ellie Roberts, not available.
SMOB won the toss and asked TKCC to have a bat. Kurt Dettman simply left the innings in tatters taking 5 for 21 and TKCC were all out for just 60 in only 18.5 overs, The only batter to reach double figures was Joe Forst with 15 – thankfully Mr Extras scored 22.
When SMOB replied, Joe Frost gave TKCC a brief glimmer of hope of a miracle removing Gary Ibbotson without scoring but that it was as good as it got with James Lester (33 not out) and Tim Jordan (20 not out) knocking the runs off in just 8.4 overs.
Next up for the 4th XI is a trip next weekend to take on Plymouth CC 4th XI on a ground graced by the MCC (including Evo) every year – no pressure.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI 60 all out (18.5 overs)
Extras 22
J Frost 15
K Dettman 5-21
St Marychurch Old Boys CC 1st XI 61 for 1 (8.4 overs)
J Lester 33 not out
T Jordan 20 not out
St Marychurch Old Boys CC 1st XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI (1 pt) by 9 Wickets
Player of the Day
TBC once full 3rd XI scorecard is available.
Spectator Watch
Despite being Finals Weekend at Wimbledon there was a sighting of our very own King of the Grass Courts at Avonwick Tennis Club, Malcolm Dare, watching the 1st XI.