devon cricket league 2026 - round 5
1ST XI
The 1st XI headed west to take on Ivybridge CC 1st XI and just five rounds into the season, Evo’s hope of having no players over the age of 36 play for the 1st XI this season came a cropper with England O50s international Tim Western getting the call but did Evo really think it wouldn’t happen at some stage.
TKCC won the toss and asked Ivybridge to have a bat and they were soon wobbling at 17 for 2 with a wicket a piece from James Tyler and Kazi Szymanski, the latter on his third debut for the club depending how you look at the club’s history. However, the early damage was repaired by a 3rd wicket partnership of 161 between Dinesh Raheja who scored 54 and Michael Copeland their overseas who went onto score 114 before falling to Rio Koyikkara. Koyikkara then trapped Zach Dunn LBW – sadly the hat trick ball drew a blank. He did though finish the best of the TKCC bowlers with 3 for 55 as Ivybridge scored 263 for 8 in their 50 overs, their respected scorer did feel they had should have reached 285.
In reply TKCC got off to a disastrous start – a golden duck for Josh Thompson, However, the ever-green Tim Western anchored the innings with 35 in a trademark 86 balls before a case of “Yes! No! Whoops!” Ed Smout Cooper who is gradually creeping up the order top scored with 57. The “prodigal son”, Dan Western, on his return to A Division cricket also contributed 32. However, TKCC fell short by 60 runs being bowled out in 47.5 overs. Not satisfied with his century. Copeland took 3 for 34 and will start the next match on a hat trick ball. Many of the Ivybridge spectators said it was their most famous DCL win in terms of beating a prestige club – the players though very reminiscent of (Sir) Andy Murray in Gent in 2015, ensured the scorers were properly thanked post-match before heading to the bar to celebrate and watch the later stages of Champions League Final – there was a surprising lack of Arsenal fans.
Evo does also have to report though there was a bit of Wallace and Gromit with some wrong shirts being worn.
Next up for the 1st XI is a trip out on Thursday evening to take on Ipplepen CC 1st XI in the Quarter Final of the Aaron Printers Cup under the leadership Harry Baxendale. The 1st XI return to DCL action when they play host to Budliegh Salterton CC 1st XI.
Ivybridge CC 1st XI 263 for 8 (50 overs)
M Copeland 114
D Raheja 54
R Koyikkara 3-55
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 203 all out (47.5 overs)
E Smout Cooper 57
T Western 35
D Western 32
M Copeland 3-34
Ivybridge CC 1st XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (8 pts) by 60 Runs
2ND XI
The 2nd XI played host to Ivybridge CC 2nd XI under the leadership of Ryan Hanauer.
TKCC won the toss and elected to bat and it was left to the ever-green Faiz Ebrahim continued his purple patch of form with the bat scoring 73, However, Ebrahim was out done by super vet, Mike Pugh with 79, as TKCC scored 229 for 7 in their 45 overs. The wickets were shared about by the Ivybridge bowlers the best though were Chris Greenhouse with 2 for 17 and Jithin Joseph with 2 for 33.
Ivybridge were always in the hunt during their reply especially thanks to their 5th wicket partnership of 105 between Sam Kidd who scored 67 and Matthew Dardis with 55. Everything seemed to be going in their favour until, Matt Rossin, a true club person, took 2 in 2, ending up with 2 for 27 – identical figures to Bobby Western. It got to squeaky bottom time for Ivybridge but they won off the last ball of the match by 3 wickets with Dylan Squire hitting Abu Bakar for 4 runs – a famous day for Ivybridge CC. Not satisfied with his performance with the bat, not must be made of the wicketkeeping of Faiz Ebrahim with a catch and three stumpings
Whilst the forecast was good Friday night it has to be noted that it was was left to those selected for 1st XI to get the covers on.
Next up for the 2nd XI next weekend is a trip to take on founder members of the DCL, Yelverton Bohemians CC- 1st XI.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI 229 for 7 (45 overs)
M Pugh 79
F Ebrahim 73
C Greenhouse 2-17
J Joseph 2-33
Ivybridge CC 2nd XI 231 for 7 (45 0vers)
S Kidd 67
M Dardis 55
M Rossin 2-27
B Western 2-27
Ivybridge CC 2nd XI (18 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI (8 pts) by 3 Wickets
3RD XI
The 3rd XI headed out east to take on Kenn CC 2nd XI.
TKCC won the toss and elected to bat and despite losing the Chair of Cricket, Steve Waters, before he troubled the scorers, TKCC scored 211 for 3 in their 40 overs. There was a captain’s knock with 73 from Mike Etherington and 56 from Rob Spencer. Mention must be made though of the 44 not out by Craig Davies who answered the SOS to play despite the fact he should have been in daddy duties – a true club person. The best of the Kenn bowlers was Matt Jose with 2 for 55.
After Obaid Wahedi claimed the early wicket of Rob Hutchings, Kenn’s reply became the Rudi Ellis and Al Davey show with an undefeated 2nd wicket partnership of 184 with Ellis finishing on 110 not out and Davey on 81 not out. Kenn won in 37.2 overs. How often on a Friday night do you hear Mike Ehterrington saying he has so many bowlers he doesn’t need to bowl himself. Well tonight on WhatsApp he is bemoaning the lack of bowlers – you can’t please some people.
Next up for the 3rd XI next weekend is hosting Honiton CC 2nd XI.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI 211 for 3 (40 overs)
M Etherington 73
R Spencer 56
C Davies 44 not out
M Jose 2-55
Kenn CC 2nd XI 214 for 1 (37.2 overs)
R Ellis 110 not out
A Davey 81 not out
Kenn CC 2nd XI (16 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI (5 pts) by 9 Wickets
4TH XI
Sadly, a case of déjà vu and even a week earlier then 2025 the 4th XI having to concede their home fixture against Stoke Gabriel CC 3rd XI due to a lack of players – it is understood in one case watching the Champions League Final on TV was more of a priority. With the club’s links to Cavendish Cavaliers CC the catch phrase of it’s former Entertainment Manager, Mark Jenkins, “unbelievable” comes to mind when one considers how many players the club has registered. On an even more serious note, players have to be aware, a blank cricket Saturday has the potential of implications with Kingskerswell PC.
God willing the 4th XI will have an “overseas” trip next weekend when they are scheduled to take on Tavistock CC 3rd XI at Launceston CC’s 2nd pitch.
Player of the Day
For his all round it has to go to Faiz Ebrahim.
Spectator Watch
It was good to see the return of Camp Kelmere to an away DCL match for the first time this season. However special mention must be made of Malcolm Dare who hot footed it from Avonwick Tennis Club (lets hope he had more success than the Brits are having at Roland Garros) to watch the 1st XI. He was soon joined by Mike Hunt and “Lady Ann.”