THE FIRST XI CRASH OUT!

The 1st XI made a return to the Devon T20 Competition after an extended sabbatical for logistical reasons away to the reigning champions, Exmouth CC 1st XI, having once dominated the competition for two years in the dying days of the Yau Era.   The side was led by Ben Pomare, after a travel nightmare, as all the “Spin Triplets” were unavailable for various reasons.

Exmouth won the toss and asked TKCC to have a bat.  Josh Thompson (42) and Ed Smout-Cooper (30) got the innings off to  an explosive before both holing out off the bowling of Lawrence Greenway who also bowled the stand in skipper cheaply – figures of 3 for 21.  It was then left to Jimmy Clifford to push the innings on with 52 off just 29 balls.  Once Clifford was out it was time for Dan Western to have some fun with 39 not out off, just 21 balls alongside his younger sibling, Bobby.  TKCC finished on 191 for 5 in their 20 overs but crucially Exmouth had only given away 2 bowling extras.

When Louis Morison was out for 4 – bowled by Kazi Szymanski was a giant-killing on the cards?  Sadly, it wasn’t to be with contributions from many Exmouth batters.  However, the star of the show being their skipper, James Horler with 65 not out off, just 43 balls.  How TKCC will regret the skipper of the Devon CCC three-day team isn’t part of their T20 team who were playing today and had rightfully claimed Harry Passenger.  Two wickets by Ritesh Dabhade (2 for 34), one a stump breaking bowled  and the other a stunning catch by Vivek Kulkarni gave TKCC some hope but it simply wasn’t to be,  Bobby Western did though take two late wickets (2 for 33) – one of them was caught by “Big Brother Dan” in the deep.  Exmouth won with 10 balls to spare and 5 wickets remaining.   How, TKCC will rue the 12 bowling extras especially those for no balls as fielders had wondered outside the fielding circle.