updated DEVON CRICKET LEAGUE 2026 - ROUND 15
1ST XI
The 1st XI head east to take on Budleigh Salterton CC 1st XI with “Air Miles” Passenger back in command.
Prior to play some of the more intrepid team members took a dip in the sea. One of them who shall stay nameless wondered why they couldn’t see the old ground – clearly, they don’t watch Country File!
After the “Big Swim” unfortunately there was “Breakfastgate”- everyone’s breakfast arrived accept, for the organiser’s, Ed Smout- Cooper, who ended up having to raid the local Spar.
TKCC won the toss and elected to bat, Evo ‘s prediction for “Mr BBO” was sadly correct – out for 17 off just 12 balls – one of four catches for Sam Whitehead. When Ben Pomare was out for 47 it was 80 for 4 but fortune favours the brave – Chris Kelmere was dropped on 8 before going onto score a vital 37, However, James Tyler, in the presence of his dad for the first time this season, was the star of the show scoring 64 not out which included 5 *6s with one ball last seen heading down the river valley. TKCC finished on 222 for 8 in their 50 overs – the best of the Budleigh Salterton was their captain, Ed Doble with 3 for 28.
By the time Tea was taken, news was reaching the ground that the current A Division League leaders, North Devon CC 1st XI were heading for a crushing defeat away to Cullompton CC 1st XI.
In reply Budleigh Salterton got off to a good start, 58 for 1, thanks to Max Mejzner who scored 43, but they then fell to 108 for 8. The main tormentor was Harry Baxendale who took 5 for 28. Baxendale also provided a heart stopping comic gold moment that Frank Spencer would have been proud of – “Fence Diving” when in a vane attempt to stop a four, he went head first over the fence, right by the sightscreen which nearly took out Josh Nott in a previous encounter. It was certainly a heart stopping moment for Susie, who showed true love by dashing over from Camp Kelmere. The Budleigh Salterton scorer just like Evo had a prediction come true – a wicket to fall the first ball after drinks – Luke Davies was 6th out with the score on 150 having scored 29. Budleigh Salterton were finally all out for 198 in 45.4 overs.
In light of the North Devon result and TKCC defending 222, one could imagine David Shepherd being Hopping mad in Heaven!
Next weekend the 1st XI play host to Heathcoat CC 1st XI in “The Winner Takes Its All” match – ironically the same weekend that 52 years ago, ABBA performed on Torre Abbey Meadow. A winner would virtually secure a return to the Premier League as North Devon CC 1st XI host Heathcoat CC 1st XI the last weekend of the season. The following day the 1st XI with in the VX£ Cup 3rd / 4th Place Play Off against Barton CC 1st XI at Queens Park Paignton.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 222 for 8 (50 overs)
J Tyler 64 not out
B Pomare 47
E Doble 3-28
Budleigh Salterton CC 1st XI 198 all out (45.4 overs)
M Mejzner 43
H Baxendale 5-28
J Tyler 3-27
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (19 pts) beat Budleigh Salterton CC 1st XI (7 pts) by 24 runs
2ND XI
The 2nd XI played host to Yelverton Bohemians CC 1st XI.
TKCC won the toss and elected to field but after taking an early wicket were soon leather chasing. Geoff Brain led the way with 57 before retiring not out. He was supported by their skipper David Ackford with 50 and Rob Grove with 46. No TKCC bowler took more than one wicket and Yelverton Bohemians finished on 240 for 6 in their 45 overs.
In reply for TKCC, Tim Western literally went from England’s hero yesterday to zero with a Royal Duck (youngest son, Bobby, sadly fared little better). Once again, super veteran, Mike Pugh, showed his experience scoring 76 not out supported by youngster Rio Koyikkara who got some valuable time out in the middle scoring 41. However, their efforts weren’t enough and TKCC finished on 196 for 9 in their 45 overs. The best of the Yelverton Bohemians bowlers were, Hadliegh Scott- Kirk with 3 for 14 and Michael Marais with 3 for 24.
Next up for the 2nd XI is the short trip next weekend to take on Ipplepen CC 2nd XI in a vital match as there is now a four- way dog fight for the second promotion spot. However, over the next two weekends as some of the teams involved cross swords!
Yelverton Bohemians CC 1st XI 240 for 6 (45 overs)
G Brain 57 retired not out
D Ackford 50
R Grove 46
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI 196 for 9 (45 overs)
M Pugh 76 not out
R Koyikkara 41
H Scott-Kirk 3-14
M Marais 3-24
Yelverton Bohemians CC 1st XI (19 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI (7 pts) by 44 runs
3RD XI
Like the 1st XI, the 2nd XI travelled to East Devom in their case to take on Honiton CC 2nd XI, the former team of acting 4th XI captain, Stephen Jones.
TKCC won the toss and also like the 1st XI elected to bat. Captain, Mike Etherington led from the front and fell just four runs short of a well deserved fifty. However, there were only brief cameos from the other TKCC batters with Mr Extras being second highest scorer with 32. Matt Rossin who in his own words to Evo, “haven’t been able to buy a run all season” did manage to score 15. TKCC were all out off the last ball of their allotted 40 overs for 180 – the best of the Honiton bowlers being Richard Empson with 3 for 18.
In reply after losing two early wickets, Honiton reached the total for the lose of only one further wicket thanks to Nathan Groves batting through the innings for 66 and captain Lewis Blackwell scoring 88. No TKCC bowlers took more than a wicket each.
Next you for the 3rd XI is a home fixture at The Rec next Sunday when they hopefully host Abbotskerswell CC 3rd XI. Alas the opposition are in last chance saloon when it comes to fulfilling their fixtures. That saying TKCC will be trying to find 44 players with VX3 Cup match against Barton CC 1st XI, the 4th XI away to Ipplepen CC 4th Xi, a vital U15 match (for the 1st XI) away to Teignmouth and Shaldon CC as well as the 3rd XI DCL match.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd Xi 180 all out (40 overs)
M Etherington 46
R Empson 3-18
Honiton CC 2nd XI 183 for 3 (38 overs)
L Blackwell 88
N Groves 66 not out
Honiton CC 2nd XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI (5 pts) by 7 wickets
4TH XI
Drum roll please, the 4th XI played host to Tavistock CC 3rd XI with 11 home grown players!
Tavistock won the toss and elected to bat and scored 240 for 8 in their 40 overs. This was mainly thanks to Mr Extras with 49 and Matthew Way with 41 although there were cameos by several other batters. With TKCC very much sharing the bowling around (only Phil Bradford and Andy Redpath didn’t turn their arm over), the wickets were shared around but Rahul Chandrappa and Toby Chant both claimed two. Talking of two dismissals, Leigh Scarff took two catches (as well as taking a wicket).
In reply the star of the show for the second weekend running was a certain Leigh Scarff esq with 56 not out. However, he was out-scored by Mr Extras with 54. In the end TKCC were all out of the last ball of their allotted overs for 175. Like with TKCC, the wickets were shared about by the Tavistock bowlers with two each David Downham, George Downham and Liam Willson.
Next weekend the 4th XI travel to take on Ipplepen CC 4th XI on Sunday with the luxury of playing on their main square.
Tavistock CC 3rd XI 240 for 8 (40 overs)
Extras 49
M Way 41
R Chandrappa 2-20
T Chant 2-46
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI 175 all out (40 overs)
L Scarff 56 not out
Extras 54
L Willson 2-20
D Downham 2-23
G Downham 2-45
Tavistock CC 3rd XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI (8 pts) by 65 runs
Player of the Day
It has to go to Harry Baxendale for his fine bowling performance, not forgetting his expert fence diving!
Spectator Watch
The Budleigh Salterton scorer couldn’t believe the size of Camp Kelmere as when they are away usually, they have only two followers!
