from the boundary
News from Legendary statistician, Nicholas Evanson
incoming roux
The committee are pleased to announce that Nathan and his new good lady wife arrive early tomorrow morning ready for round 2 of “hostilities” with Barton CC this weekend.
WESTERN IN ACTION FOR ENGLAND O50 LIONS TODAY
The club are pleased to announce that Tim Western is in the side to take on Worcestershire O50s today at Stourport CC - the match is being Live Streamed on YouTube.
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE
Please could all members / supporters please refrain from commenting on the Brockman Cup against Barton CC 2nd XI which was held at The Rec on Tuesday 6 May which was abandoned due to Bad Light.
the first battle with barton!
The first encounter between T&K and Barton was held tonight in the Brockman Cup at the Rec tonight. It has to be reported that unfortunately DACO could only supply one umpire and that Mr President aka Mike Hunt was late on parade minus the First Lady. A note also to the 2nd XI skipper, please make sure you have both a match ball and spares, and that you also pay the umpire – Evo is fast becoming Mr Grumpy! Late dashes to cars by Ryan Hanauer and Harry Passenger saved the day on the first two counts though.
T&K won the toss and elected to bat. The T&K innings was built around Josh Thompson’s 80 in just 42 balls – very reminiscent of his winning knock in last year’s final, and Alex Peggie’s quick 25 not out. The best Barton bowler was Louis Hargreaves with 2 for 30 as T&K were all out for 156 with 3 balls remaining.
With the gloom descending, Barton were soon in trouble at 24 for 3 thanks to Alex Peggie’s 3 or 6. However, when Harry Shelton was 5th out with the score on 64, the umpire took the only decision he could to take the players off with 9 overs and a ball remaining. Harry Shelton having been the best of the batters with 17.
The match was therefore abandoned and has to be replayed following discussions with Tim Chapman, the competition chair.
Praise must be given the umpire, Martin Powell, for doing his best to keep the players out on the field until 10 overs had been reached, in the hope the competition rules would say 10 overs constituted a match. Sadly though, they don’t and this is something which must be looked at as how many Brockman Cup matches should be abandoned because of light issues. One option is for the old rule from the John Player Sunday League – the maximum run up for bowlers set at 12 yards. However, does that put it even more in favour of the batters?
Praise must also be given to young Emily Passenger for bringing the the stumps and fielding discs in along with Pasty’s better half - well probably. It was so dark by then, Evo couldn’t actually see!
less than a week before the 1st game supporter is announced!
All shall be revealed by the club’s EDI and Mental Health guru, Evo, very soon.
FANTASY CRICKET ROUND 1
So the Fantasy League has started with 18 teams – somewhat appropriate as there are 18 weeks of the season! However it is a shame not more people have supported Ollie Smith’s initiative.
Into an early lead though is Aaron Hearn on 491 points thanks primarily to the efforts of Ethan Abraham and Chris Kelmere. While at the bottom is Simon Rice on just 81 points – handicapped rather by the majority of his XI not getting their kit on!
The top batter this week which was helped by his appearance behind the stumps was a certain Steve Waters with 52 points. Little surprise the top bowler was young Ethan Abraham with 132 points. As for the top all-rounder, Harry Passenger sneaked in just ahead of Chris Kelmere with 70 points. With most regular keepers not playing, Faiz Ebrahim was top by default with 5 points.
SUPPORT THE STARS OF THE FUTURE
On Wednesday our U11s have a short trip along the coast to take on their counterparts from Teignmouth and Shaldon CC and on Thursday our U13s play host to Babbacombe CC. Both matches start at 6pm.
devon cricket league round 1
1ST XI
The 1st XI headed north of Dartmoor in a battle of merged clubs – Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI.
One again under the leadership of Harry Passenger, who it is understood been practicing all week trying to win the toss, contained three debutants – Messrs Delahunty, Peggie and Thompson.
The practice tossing must have worked as Hazza called correctly and asked B&B to bat. It is worth noting the B&B skipper was a former public schoolboy through and through as Evo was always addressed as “Sir.”
Alex Peggie soon clearly showed his intentions, clean bowling, Kain Burns with only his second ball for a duck. However, it then became the Shaquan Glasgow show, Glasgow was finally bowled by Peggie for 88. Initially he was supported by James Ewen for 25 and whilst the B&B middle order went AWOL their lower order in the form of Tom Pengelly 33 not out and Brandon Horn 23 had some fun at the expense of the T&K bowlers – many of whom had costly radar problems (25 wides). Harry Passenger was the best of the T&K bowlers with 3 for 44, with Chris Kelmere claiming 2 for 29 and Alex Peggie 2 for 37. B&B finished on 228 for 9 in their 50 overs.
T&K got off to a good start with Tim Western and Chris Kelmere once again in tandem putting on 57 or the first wicket, scoring 31 and 35 respectively. However, no T&K batter went onto make a big score. Harry Baxendale in his elevated position of no 6 (one feels T&K were a batter light) did manage to score 34. Alex Peggie had a brief cameo with 19 towards the end though. A word of caution though, Evo doesn’t appreciate having to apologise for language of players when they are out. The best of the B&B bowlers was Ryan Dennis with 3 for 35, who was supported by Callum Mallett with 2 for 20 (before his groin gave up the ghost) and Tom Pengelly 2 for 26. T&K were all out for 180 in 45.2 overs. One positive the team wouldn’t have got back to the Rec with the Red Arrows still in the air had it been Air Show weekend like last year.
Next up for the 1st XI is a visit from their old rivals, Barton CC 1st XI next weekend. Barton are now skippered by Steve Lewis formerly of this parish and the side will contain former Torquay CC DCL championship winners Sean Needham and Nick Watkin. However, Tom Drake, will be confined to the bar as he doesn’t want a repeat of last time his better half, Jasmin, was expecting. Tom opted to play for the 2nd XI and hours later was hobbling around maternity – the new arrival have come early.
Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI 228 for 9 (50 overs)
S Glasgow 88
Extras 34
T Pengelly 33 not out
H Passenger 3-44
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 180 all out (45.2 overs)
C Kelmere 35
H Baxendale 34
T Western 31
R Dennis 3-35
Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI (19 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (7 pts) by 48 runs
2ND XI
The 2nd XI played host to Chagford CC 1st XI under the leadership of Matt McCann with the hope of his success as a leader, having directed the Tics to glory would continue – by the end of the day it was no comment! (Ryan Hanauer is currently side lined due to that dangerous sport called Rugby.)
T&K loss the toss and were asked to field. Chagford got off to a good start reaching 113 for 2 thanks to Richard Hopwood with 54 and James Sharman 30. There was then a slight wobble as they fell to 116 for 4. However, Stuart Lipo then led from the front with 39 not out and Paddy Poustie 38. Evo has noted one of the Chagford batters appears to have retired hurt – details for Injury Surveillance Project would be useful! The best T&K bowler was Towkir Chowdhury with 2 for 21, however there was also 2 wickets a piece for debutants Josh Hudson and Aiden Little. Chagford finished on 243 for 7 in their 45 overs.
When T&K came out to bat, the wheels soon fell off going from 24 for 1 to 37 for 5 with Stuart Lapo (2 for 12) and Fred Prickett (4 for 30) doing the damage. Adu Bakar (39) and Tom Lillywhite (18) then repaired a little of the damage. However, Richard Hopwood with 3 for 22 finished off the tail but not before there was an undefeated run a ball 17 by debutant, Robert Spencer. T&K were all out for 137 in 39 overs.
Apart from the defeat. One thing of concern for a club of this stature is the lack of a reserve umpire to cover Ian Western. The club would therefore love to hear from any volunteer who would be willing to even just do a few matches,
Next up for the 2nd XI is Brockman Cup action this Tuesday at the Rec against Barton CC 2nd XI. The 2nd XI then remarkably next weekend are away to Barton CC 2nd XI!
Chagford CC 1st XI 243 for 7 (45 overs)
R Hopwood 54
S Lipo 39 not out
P Poustie 38
T Chowdhury 2-21
J Hudson 2-38
A Little 2-40
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI 137 all out (39 overs)
A Bakar 39
F Prickett 4-30
R Hopwood 3-22
Chagford CC 1st XI (20 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI (6 pts) by 106 runs
3RD XI
The 3rd XI under the leadership of former 2nd XI skipper, Mike Etherington, travelled to take on Exwick CC 2nd XI.
Exwick won the toss and asked T&K to have a bat. C&K “old boys”, Steve Waters with 32 and Rich Saunter with 24 led the way before a slightly younger C&K “old boy”, Ethan Abraham contributed 27. The best of the Exwick bowlers was Meerwais Dilsouz with 3 for 20 supported by Daniel Groves with 2 for 29 and 2 for 38. T&K were all out for 165 in 38 overs.
Exwick in reply lost regular wickets but looked on course for victory thanks to 55 by Keith Warren and T&K bowlers just the 1st XI suffering from radar issues. However, having already contributed with the bat, Ethan Abraham decided it was time to be “golden arm” taking 5 for 33. Exwick were all out for 155 in 33.1 overs.
Clearly the 3rd XI has to also address the issue of no Match Officials.
Next up for the 3rd XI next weekend is hosting North Devon CC 3rd XI at Kingskerwell.
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI 165 all out (38 overs)
S Waters 32
E Abraham 27
R Saunter 24
M Dilsouz 3-20
Exwick CC 2nd XI 155 all out (33.1 overs)
K Warren 55
Extras 32
E Abraham 5-33
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 3rd XI (19 pts) beat Exwick CC 2nd XI (8 pts) by 10 runs
4TH XI
Debut weekend next weekend away to Kenn CC 2nd XI.
Player of the Day
Well this is an easy one – young Ethan Abraham.
Spectator Watch
It was nice to see Dee Passenger watching her son Harry, when though it didn’t bring him any luck well accept for the toss!
Note to Camp Kelmere, especially Grandma Di. When on push chair duties, please make sure you don’t go in front of the scorers when the ball is live!!
opening night photos
Spot Evo’s can!
Mr Rider you don’t look happy!
The wives of key personnel from the Tennis Club enjoying the sun.
Our President discussing possible links with the Chair of the Tennis Club
DEADLINE DAY LOOMING!
Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is the deadline to join T&Ks Fantasy Cricket League – there are already 16 entries and you have to be in it to win it! For those who want to beat tomorrow’s deadline, the link is:
LESS THAN 36 HOURS!
Don’t forget Opening Night is this Friday:
So in the words of the late great cricket lover, Leslie Crowther:
“COME ON DOWN”
A BUSY WEEKEND FOR HAZZA!
Well 1st XI skipper, Harry Passenger, will certainly be on his travels this weekend. First up he will be leading the 1st XI on Saturday in the DCL away to Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI, next up on Sunday is a match for Devon Lions at Taunton Vale CC against Somerset Academy and finally water carrier duties for Devon on Monday at Abingdon Vale CC against Oxfordshire. Oh yes then the small fact of Senior Training next Tuesday at The Rec.
new signing - robert spencer
The club are pleased to announce the signing of Robert Spencer, a wicketkeeper, who is in the military, but has just recently moved to the area.
Welcome Robert
a greek tragedy!
The committee regret to have to inform members the Greek Night on Friday 16 May has had to be cancelled. Please support the Pig Racing Night on Saturday 31 May.
NEW PLAYER INCOMING (SOON)
The club are pleased to announce they are currently in the process of signing, Leon Mehlig, who currently lives in Cheddar. Leon is an opening bowler. More news as we have it - Evo has done the registration during the lunch interval while scoring for the MCC v Mount Kelly.
UPDATE - THERE IS A JAPANESE CONNECTION, MORE TO BE REVEALED SOON.
2ND GENERATION BEING REGISTERED
The club are pleased to announce they are in the process of registering young Seth McCann son of a certain Matt McCann. Evo the registration guru said, “Whilst, the ECB Disparity and Safety Regulations come first, it is the aim of the club to register all colts eligible for open aged cricket with the necessary parental consent this year. They mightn’t play year but it is essential we fully integrate into the club at the earliest opportunity to enhance their cricketing experience while also trying to secure stability of the club for years to come.” Evo went onto say, the Disparity Regulations might get interesting if McCann snr wants to play in the 4th XI alongside McCann jnr.”
STILL TIME TO REGISTER
As the Mental Health Champion for T&K just a reminder of the Opening Up Cricket Mental Wellbeing Webinar – Devon 2025, is this coming Tuesday at 7pm. It isn’t too late to register and the link is:
Having recently listened to a similar webinar run by the ACO. I can highly recommend spending 90 minutes listening to the webinar – whether you are struggling yourself and / or want to help others. I make no secret now that I am in the “and” category and sadly there has been too many from the Devon cricket “family” who struggled until it was too late.
updated MATCH REPORT
T&K took a Friendly XI just into the South Hams under the leadership of Mike Etherington to take on a Friendly XI from Stoke Gabriel – note to the captains, please inform the scorers and the sole umpire of any changes to match regulations otherwise they get very grumpy!
The toss was uncontested and T&K batted first. Bobby Western and Harry Passenger were soon back in the pavilion thanks to the bowling of Harriett Duke not that Evo wants to make too much of it! Josh Thompson and Harry Baxendale both subsequently retired not out on 52 and 50, Mike Etherington also just run out of overs and was 48 not out at the end. Ms Duke was the best of the bowlers with 2 for 8 of her 4 overs – Chris Harrison also finished with 2 for 38. T&K finished on 217 for in their 45 overs! A big thank you must go to Steve Waters for leading by example, Bobby Western again and Matt McCann for sharing the square leg umpire duties with Ian Western who should get special thanks for doing both ends. There was a long spell of Western and Western umpiring together – has young Bobby got the bug!
Stoke Gabriel got off to a reasonable start reaching 66 before losing their first wicket. Although at one stage there was nearly drone stop play as although he should have been fielding, Matt McCann wanted to play with his new toy. However, with it grounded, the spinning trio of Harry Baxendale, Bobby Western and Matt McCann himself then dismantled Stoke Gabriel with 6 for 19, 3 for 33 and 1 for 4 respectively – Stoke Gabriel were all out for Nelson in just 37.5 overs. The best of their batters was Isaac Whittington with 41.
On the spectator front only Gordon Avery ventured out the Bay to a new ground for him just like it was for Evo. That saying, Phil Sturman was again in attendance so he is up to speed for scoring for the 2nd XI next weekend. UPDATE - Evo apologies for not spotting Mr & Mrs Carswell.
One note of caution from the Keeper of the Balls aka Evo. With only one match having used pink balls pre-season, unless there is a serious amount of work done the 1st XI mightn’t be compliant in terms of spares come 1st June. To negate the risk as far as possible, controlled knocking in will be essential. Therefore co-operation from players will be absolutely essential!
With Pre-Season out the way the serious stuff starts. The 1st XI away to Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI, the 2nd XI home to Chagford CC 1st XI and the 3rd XI away to Exwick CC 2nd XI. The newly formed 4th XI have their blank weekend first up.
However, before the opening Saturday of the league season, there is the club’s Opening Night this Friday with at least two representatives of another local sports club which Evo has forged links with from all accounts a representative of another organisation might also be present.
BOWLS AND CRICKET - ALL IN A DAY!
Why don’t you try a new sport at a Kings Bowls Club who we are trying to form a link with
BEFORE
watching Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI v Chagford CC 1st XI!
MATCH REPORT - START OF THE PINK REVOLUTION!
The cricket season starts and surprise surprise the rain gods weren’t being kind. However, Ipplepen and T&K weren’t going to be defeated in what was going to be an interesting match in terms of adapting the match regulations – 30 overs per side with 15 overs using a pink ball and 15 overs using a red ball.
Ipplepen won the toss and not unsurprisingly asked T&K to have a bat. First up was the ball. Tim Western and Chris Kelmere resumed their opening partnership from last season – Kelmere becoming the first victim of Ipplepen’s overseas player, Aiden Phillips for 16 with Western playing his usual anchor role finally falling for 28, the 5th batter out. The match was turned in its head after the 15th over when the ball was changed to a red one – T&K were 76 for 3 but then lost 7 wickets for just 18 runs in 8.5 overs, Phillips at one stage was on a hat trick finishing with 5 for 15 off his 6 overs. One wicket of note was that of Harry Baxendale caught by his cousin Joe Parker off the bowling of Jono Colegate, both formerly of this parish for 4. T&K committed the cardinal sin, on the day of the Pope’s funeral, of not batting out their overs – all out for 94 in just 23.5 overs. Special mention must be made though, of Faiz Ebrahim, Bobby Western (with one proud grandad looking on), Josh Thompson, Ritesh Dabhade and leading by example Harry Passenger for sharing square leg umpire duties – the lack of club umpires must be a concern.
Ipplepen got off to a fast start before T&K debutant, Josh Thompson, formerly of Ipplepen parish removed both openers including Torquay old boy, Matt Beasant who now skippers Ipplepen for 2. Two other Torquay old boys, Jono Colegate and Reuben Stanley then steadied the ship scoring 25 and 15 respectively. Just for a moment the run chase got interesting but an undefeated run a ball 15 by Aiden Phillips saw Ipplepen over the line by 3 wickets with 7.4 overs remaining. The best of the T&K bowlers were Harry Passenger with 2 for 6 and Josh Thompson with 2 for 11. How not batting their overs out came back to haunt T&K.
One consolation, two decent spare pink balls, and Evo might just have a cunning plan (yes he is a fan of Blackadder) to get two more before next Saturday. However, for 2026, serious consideration must be made if T&K play a side from the B Division as some mightn’t be as helpful as Ipplepen when it comes to the pink / red ball issue.
Next up for the 1st XI is a trip next weekend to take on Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI in the DCL – another club who could only progress by amalgamating. Before that though, under the leadership of Mike Etherington, a Friendly XI take on Stoke Gabriel’s Friendly XI and for one Sunday only, Evo will be scoring so he can tick off another ground in Devon he has scored on so still more grounds then his age!
On the spectator front it just didn’t seem right with Pop Latto not being present. One can only hope Pop was looking down from on high and enjoyed what was a close encounter. Those who were actually present though included the grandee’s of Camp Kelmere who as a result of a communications failure hadn’t been informed of the new start time and arrived 3 hours early, the chair of the club Steve Waters and past president Ian Western. Phil Sturman was also warming up for yet another season in the scorebox. It would be wrong though not to make mention of three players from the Glory Years of the mid 1990s who were present, Marcus Green, Mike Pugh and Steve Short who is rumoured to be making a comeback for Ipplepen CC 4th XI this season so he can play alongside his daughter, Flo.