devon cricket league 2026 - round 12
1ST XI
The 1st XI played host to league leaders, North Devon CC 1st XI, with two key bowlers running for cover well, being on holiday to be precise. Nothing to do with protecting their bowling stats I’m sure despite the rumours Jamie Overton was going to be in town. The famous Ray Batten saying, “call yourself a cricketer,” should be ring in their ears!
Pre-match there was another successful Team Breakfast organised by Ed Smout Cooper – there will be a new Club Official role on Play Cricket soon – “Team Breakfast Organiser.” This was followed by a dip in the sea – allegedly there is no truth in the rumour it was to check out the student talent!
Prior to the match, Evo received a text message from an eagle-eyed Life Member – all that needs saying I, “Covers.” Also, pre-match, one of the holidaying players got their componence by bring have to be called in Italy to try and sort out the live stream.
TKCC won the and elected to field in the baking mid-afternoon English Riviera sun. There was an early wicket a piece for Ritesh Dabhade and Aaron Hearn, the latter on a belated seasonal debut due to work commitments. Hearn went onto claim a second wicket, Jay Rothery (32), one of four catches for Ed Smout Cooper behind the stumps – Hearn finished with 2 for 36. Definate Mawadzi (67) and Jack Whittaker (77) were the main contributors for North Devon. Later in the innings there was Ben Stokes “you can do that” moment when Josh Thompson caught Josh Atkinson off the bowling of Nial McCarthy (2 for 47) for 4. North Devon were 242 all out in 42.2 overs. The wickets having been shared around with Rio Koyikkara with 2 for 29 being the best.
At tea, Evo discovered TKCCs match ball had only just survived the innings without having to be replaced. One of the umpires a leading light in DACO commented that this season’s batch of balls aren’t so good.
In reply TKCC didn’t get off to the best of starts with Jack Popham (4 for 44) taking three early wickets including who almost went from the hero of last week to nearly zero this week. The stage was then then set for a 4th wicket partnership of 153 between Ben Pomare and Harry Passenger. Pomare holing out agonising when on 96 – Passenger fell for 76. TKCC then wobbled thanks to Jay Rothery (3 for 50). However, mature batting from Dan Western (15 not out) and Rio Koyikkara (8 not out), saw TKCC over the line with 3 wickets still standing and nearly 10 overs remaining.
“Top of the League” – doesn’t that sound good!
Next up for the 1st XI is a T20 away to Barton CC 1st XI this Thursday before they return to DCL action next weekend away to Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI.
North Devon CC 1st XI 242 all out (42.2 overs)
J Whittaker 77
D Mawadzi 67
R Koyikkara 2-29
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 245 for 7 (40.1 overs)
B Pomare 96
H Passenger 76
J Popham 4-44
J Rothery 3-50
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (20 pts) beat North Devon CC 1st XI (7 pts) by 3 Wickets
2ND XI
The 2nd XI travelled to Janner Country to take on Plymstock CC 2nd XI.
TKCC won the toss and elected to bat and whilst several batters made starts none went onto make a big score - Bobby Western (37), Faiz Ebrahim (33) and Tobias Delahunty (30). As a result, TKCC didn’t bat their overs out – 180 all out in 43,3 overs. The best of the Plymstock bowlers was Fraser Cowan with 3 for 32.
In reply, Plymstock were never seriously in danger pf not knocking off the runs. Their innings was built around the 57 scored by Scott Mansfield. Mansfield was supported by 39 from Jacob Hole and Sam White with 30, as Plymstock won by 5 wickets in just 32.2 overs. The best of the TKCC bowlers being young Ethan Ebrahim with 2 for 53.
Next up for the 2nd XI next weekend is hosting the run-away league leaders, Chagford CC 1st XI.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI 180 all out (43.3 overs)
B western 37
F Ebrahim 33
T Delahunty 30
F Cowan 3-32
Plymstock CC 2nd XI 183 for 5 (32.2 overs)
S Mansfield 57
J Hole 39
S White 30
E Ebrahim 2-53
Plymstock CC 2nd XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI (6 pts) by 5 Wickets
3RD XI
The 3rd XI played host to Ottery St Mary CC 3rd XI.
TKCC won the toss and elected to bat. Leading by example, skipper, Mike Etherington, scored 62. Next up was not for the first time this season was Mr Extras with 55. There was also contributions from Paul Harding, rolling back the years with 39 not out and Preshit Pawar with 38. TKCC were all out for 245 off the last ball of their 40 overs – the wickets being shared around with the best being James Rendall with 2 for 31.
In reply the batting of Ottery St Mary just crumbled on the onslaught of Hardrik Patel who claimed 5 for 25 and they were all out for just 91 in 24.5 overs. The highest scorer being Mr Extras with 18 – for the actual batters. Lawrence Salter top scored with 17. Mention on the bowling front must also be made of young Seth McCann who claimed 2 for 10 – clearly now there is a cricketer in the McCann household as “the boy” has talent.
Next up for the 3rd XI next weekend is a trip onto the Moors to take on Barton CC 3rd XI at Manaton CC (there are rumours Barton CC going forward are going to install an artificial wicket at Windmill Hill).
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI 245 all out (40 overs)
M Etherington 62
Extras 55
P Harding 39 not out
P Pawar 38
J Rendall 2-31
Ottery St Mary CC 3rd XI 91 all out (24.5 overs)
Extras 18
L Salter 17
H Patel 5-25
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI (20 pts) beat Ottery St Mary CC 3rd XI (7 pts) by 154 Runs
4TH XI
The 4th XI headed west to Janner Country to take on Plymouth CC 4th XI at Plymouth College’s pre-school’s ground.
TKCC won the toss and elected. However, they were soon going to regret it with Plymouth’s opener, Bob Crooks, falling just 13 runs short of his century. Plymouth’s total was also greatly boasted by Mr Extras (60). Of their other batters, John Greenwood contributed 37 and Gareth Hart with 33 as Plymouth scored a massive 260 for 9 in their 40 overs. The best of the TKCC bowlers was Toby Chant with 2 for 16.
In reply, TKCC must thank Mr Extras who top scored with 59. The only real contribution with the bat was 39 by Andy Redpath. TKCC limped to 129 all out in 37.1 overs . Wakman Oyarkhil being the main destroyer taking 4 for 27.
Next up for the 4th XI next weekend is hosting Lewdown CC 2nd XI.
Plymouth CC 4th XI 260 for 9 (40 overs)
B Crooks 87
Extras 60
J Greenwood 2-37
G Hart 2-33
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI 129 all out (37.1 overs)
Extras 59
A Redpath 39
W Oyarkhil 4-27
Plymouth CC 4th XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI (7 pts) by 131 Runs
Player of the Day
This club is one club so it goes to Hardrik Patel for his 5 for 25.
Spectator Watch
Well, a funny – young Lucy the North Devon CC 1st XI scorer asked Evo what was Blaise Baker up to. Literally 30 seconds later in walked Blaise!