from the boundary
News from Legendary statistician, Nicholas Evanson
Not a late April fools
While watching Devon O50s take on Isle of Wight O50s. The opposition thought Evo was 12th man for Devon and asked if he was available tomorrow as they were one short for their match over the border in Cornwall😄.
SOME ACTION FROM YESTERDAY (PART 2)
Photographs used by kind permission of Conrad Sutcliffe
DEVON CRICKET LEAGUE 2025 - ROUND 6
1ST XI
The 1st XI took on Kilmington CC 1st XI at home with storm clouds gathering. You wait for one bus though and two come along in quick succession – back to back toss wins by Harry Passenger. However, from all accounts, Kilmington’s skippers’ record with the toss is just as bad.
With rain imminent, Hazza not unsurprisingly decided to bowl.
Kilmington got off to a good start thanks to Tom Gooding who scored 28 off just 31 balls before nicking one to Josh Thompson in the slips off Chris Kelmere. However, it wasn’t before the inevitable happening after 4.3 overs – the match ball being lost and under the new regulations having to be replaced with a new one. Credit must be given to the Kilmington players who for the second time in three seasons went on a successful ball hunt. Just three balls later the first of the rain came – a short break which the umpires used Law 43 aka “Common Sense” on timings to stop overs being lost (one of whom, Sean Day, is using observed when the 1st XI travel to take on Plympton CC 1st XI next weekend). Rain soon returned though and this time overs had to be lost (2 each side). Rain then returned for a third and fatal time despite the taking of Tea to try and save time – Evo having dropped the hint. During this rain break it has to reported, though several of the team had already started on the booze – Bax’s birthday (32) isn’t mitigation. The captains finally shook hands at 3.36pm with Kilmington on 46 for 1 after 10.4 overs – 8 pts each.
2ND XI
The 2nd XI travelled down the Devon Expressway to take on Ivybridge CC 2nd.
Ryan Hanauer won the toss and was going to have a bowl but the match got no further and crucially “play” wasn’t called – 8 pts each.
Next weekend the 2nd XI will be hosting Plymouth CS and Roborough CC 1st XI.
3RD XI
The 3rd XI travelled to take on Shobrooke Park CC 2nd XI. Mike Etherington didn’t even get as far as going out for the toss – 8 pts each.
Next up for the 3rd XI is a trip around the corner from Shobrooke Park next weekend to take on Sandford CC 3rd XI.
4TH XI
So the doom-mongers sadly had their day in the sun(!) with the 4th XI sadly unable to raise a side to take on Barton CC 3rd XI at home – think they call that sods law! Hopefully normal service will be resumed next week with a home fixture against Cullompton CC 4th XI.
Player of the Day
Insufficient play to make the award.
Spectator Watch
Two people of note. A rare visitor these days, “His Majesty’s Pressure”, otherwise known as Conrad Sutcliffe. Also present, formerly of this parish (but still registered), Alex Hartridge. Alex is currently on the books of Wycombe Wanderers FC but spent the second half of last season back at Exeter City FC.
aaron printers cup win
After the earlier confusion (and there was more to come) the 1st XI played host to Stoke Gabriel 1st XI in the Quarter Finals of the Aaron Printers Cup under the leadership of Vivek Kulkarni (Harry Passenger not being eligible as he plays for Devon CCC).
Stoke Gabriel won the toss and elected to bat in the better light (and also knowing T&K would be fielding with 10 to start). Jack Tolley their skipper whose dad Steve played for Torquay for many years was out second ball for a duck – cleaned bowled by Mustavi Emdad. Stoke’s innings was built around Liam Mair’s 40 (one of three brothers who Torquay CC let slip through their net along with a mum who volunteered). As for the T&K bowling it was keep it in the family with Vivek Kulkarni leading from the front with 3 for 22 while oldest son Ethan took 3 for 33 (youngest son, Dann, was 12th man). Stoke finished on 109 all out in 19.2 overs – at one stage though a 30 minute rain break nearly scuppered play when they were 63 or 4 after 12.3 overs. However, the umpires used Law 43 aka Common Sense and didn’t abandon the match although they were on a wing and a prayer the light would hold. The only negative from Stoke’s innings. Evo’s hope of knocking in a ball for the league disappeared in the region of the duck pond!
In reply Tim Western minus his usual partner in crime, Chris Kelmere (Chris snr was still in residence though in his usual corner) opened will cup specialist, Josh Thompson (dad Marcus fresh from his first ever DCL century for Babbacombe CC 1st XI was also looking on). Western was out cheaply whilst Thompson blasted a trademark quick fire 31 off just 20 balls – both fell to Isaac Withington (2 for 17). Faiz Ebrahim contributed 26 not out and Tobias Delahunty scored 23. However, the 14 not out by Parvez Khan has to be mentioned as the skipper forgot to inform the scorers that Tom Lillywhite had dropped out! (Evo will be doing his own fines at this rate.) T&K won by a canter by 7 wickets and with 5.3 overs to spare, the latter must have been a relief to the umpires.
News on the Semi Final as we have it.
CLUB INVITED TO HOLLACOMBE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE OPEN DAY
Evo can now confirm the club has been invited to the above event on 18 June between 10am and 2pm with the aim of the clients participating in adaptive Softball Cricket (some of the All Stars / Dynamos kit will be nabbed for the day) and in the process the club continuing to build links with the Centre. For some of the clients it might literally be trying to catch a bean bag while for others it will be hitting / catching a ball and / or turning their arm over. Evo is now after 1 / 2 players to help him on day – anyone interested please contact him ASAP. As Evo said, “we are the first club in the Bay to reach out to the Centre so I don’t want this to fail.”
SUPPORT THE DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST
Members might or might not be aware that there are still plans for The Rec to be a Community Landing Site for the Air Ambulance – its current status on the most recent map is slightly unclear though. However, Evo has a friend of his family (3rd generation but has known the family all his life) who is going to raise money for the DAAT by doing a skydive in July. If anyone wants to sponsor Millie the link is:
For those with long memories. Evo raised over £500 for the DAAT as his nominated charity to celebrate his 500th league match back in 2014.
AARON PRINTERS CUP
Just to confirm after a little confusion the Quarter Final home to Stoke Gabriel goes ahead on Thursday at 6pm. It will be a busy night down the club as Ady and Nathan will also be running the Women and Girls Training.
DEVON O60’S 2ND xi AT THE REC TOMORROW
Play starts at 1pm against Somerset O60s 2nd XI - in the Devon side is Graham Moore who umpired the 1st XI at Cullompton last weekend.
devon cricket league round 5
1ST XI
The 1st XI went on their travels to take on Cullompton CC 1st XI with the hope of getting their season back on track.
There was a big shock at the toss – Harry Passenger actually called correctly and asked Cullompton to have a bat. Prior to the calling of “Play” though there was a case of “Ballgate” – Cullompton struggling to find enough legal spare balls (T&K members please take note).
Cullompton got off to a good start reaching 50 for 1 before T&Ks “spin quartet” got to work reducing the home side to 98 for 7 and had Harry Baxendale not put down danger man Brendon Parr off his own bowling when he had only scored 13 it would have looked even better. Parr an international Disability Cricketer made the most of the drop being last out for 71. Parr was supported by Nathan Vincent – an 8th wicket partnership of 52. The star turn from the spinning quartet was newbie Aiden Little, who found the club thanks to the club’s website, taking 5 for 48. Cullompton were all out for 186 in just 38.4 overs just 5 minutes before tea could be taken between innings – sadly Law 43 aka Common sense wasn’t applied and T&K had to go out to bat.
Tim Western and Chris Kelmere got T&K off to an explosive start – Kelmere falling for 37 with the score on 65 after just 8 overs. Western continued to play his trademark anchor role finishing on 51 not out leaving Nathan Roux to score an undefeated 82 off 74 balls. T&K reached the target in just 31.2 overs with nine wickets in hand – Kelmere and Roux having both peppered the railway line, no balls quit reached the M5 we think!
It was noted though that had anyone needed a runner, the batter who should have been used already had an alcoholic drink in his hand! Furthermore, one player showed total disrespect to Cullompton by changing into civies way before the match was over – the same culprit from Clyst St George away two years ago.
Compared to the corresponding weekend a far between performance – back at The Rec to see the end of the 2nd XI match having won instead of getting to The Rec after a crushing defeat and with the Red Arrow still in the air!
Next up for the 1st XI is Aaron Printers Cup action this Thursday home to Stoke Gabriel CC 1st XI (although Play Cricket is showing a different date so there is a little confusion at present) before returning to DCL action next weekend home to Kilmington CC 1st XI – another club whose progression which has been impacted by the, need for more colts XIs.
Cullompton CC 1st XI 186 all out (38.4 overs)
B Parr 71
A Little 5-48
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 191 for 1 (32.3 overs)
N Roux 82 not out
T Western 51 not out
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI (20 pts) beat Cullompton CC 1st XI (3 pts) by 9 wickets
2ND XI
The 2nd XI took on Yelverton Bohemians CC 1st XI (one of the original members of the DCL) at home.
Yelverton won the toss and elected to bat,
Yelverton’s innings was built around their opener David John Ackford who scored 76. Yelverton were all out for 188 in 43.4 overs with Danny Kulkarni taking the last 3 wickets in just 10 balls for 7 runs.
In reply most T&K batters contributed some runs before it was left to Mike Pugh and Anthony Nadar to get T&K insight of a much needed win. However, when Nadar was out or 27 it all went wrong, with many of the 1st XI back watching, Pugh being starved of the strike. Pugh was left stranded on 42 and T&K fell agonisingly short of the target by 8 runs. Alistair Horler was the best of the Yelverton bowlers with 4 for 41.
Next up for the 2nd XI is a trip down the Devon Expressway next weekend to take on Ivybridge CC 2nd XI.
Yelverton Bohemians CC 1st XI 188 all out (43.4 overs)
David John Ackford 76
D Kulkarni 3-7
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 1st XI 180 for 7 (45 overs)
M Pugh 42
A Horler 4-41
Yelverton Bohemians CC 1st XI (17 pts) beat Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI (9 pts) by 8 runs
3RD XI
Weekend off – return to action next weekend away to Shobrooke Park CC 2nd XI.
4TH XI
The 4th XI made the short away trip to take on St Marychurch Old Boys CC 1st XI at Cockington which was the home for Torquay CC 3rd XI. Ollie Smith decided to give Ady Zimunu her club debut at this most picturesque of grounds. The match also saw club stalwart, Declan Bailey, dusting off his whites.
SMOB won the toss and elected to bat.
Ady didn’t waste any time claiming her first DCL wicket that of Rob Jack formerly of this parish who didn’t trouble the scorers – Ady’s 8 overs cost just 13 runs. There was a too frequent occurrence with extras top scoring for the opposition (40) in SMOBs total of 150. SMOBs were bowled out in 37.1 overs with Lee Pascoe their best batter, 31. As for the T&K bowlers, it was a captain’s performance again with Ollie Smith leading the way with 3 for 28.
In reply Andy Redpath starred with the bat for T&K, finishing undefeated on 40. T&K reached the target with 3 balls to spare and 3 wickets in hand. The best of the SMOB bowlers was Kurt Dettman with 4 for 24.
Next up for the 4th XI next weekend is a home fixture against Barton CC 3rd XI.
St Marychurch Old Boys CC 1st XI 150 all out (37.1 overs)
Extras 40
L Pascoe 31
O Smith 3-28
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 4th XI 151 for 7 (39.3 overs)
A Redpath 40 not out
K Dettman 4-24
Torquay and Kingskerswell CC (19 pts) beat St Marychurch Old Boys CC 1st XI (6 pts) by 3 wickets
Player of the Day
A difficult choice between Aiden Little and Nathan Roux but it goes to Aiden Little by a short “snout.”
Spectator Watch
Mention must be made of Camp Morgan – the only two times members of the “camp” have been present the 1st XI have won!
W&G CRICKET – A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Steve Waters wants it put on record a massive thanks to Ann-Marie Presswell of the DCF for running the session last night and the club’s very own Simon Rice for being the driving force behind the scenes to get W&G Cricket back at The Rec (few members are aware / fully appreciate the hours volunteer committee members put in behind the scenes to drive the club forward). Steve would also like to thank the Queens of the Hatch: Katie, Marie and Vanessa for venturing onto the field of play (not sure their replacements in the Hatch were so good looking though) – rumours of their registration for the DCL might be a bit premature though!
THEY THINK IT IS ALL OVER – IT IS NOW!
The 2nd XI travelled out to Bovey Tracey in the Brockman Cup to take on Bovey Tracey 3rd XI with yet another skipper – this time young Bobby Western (a dress rehearsal for the U19 Cup later in the season).
Young Bobby won the toss and elected to bat (in the better light). Once again T&K was reliant on Josh Thompson who scored 40 well plus a handy 37 from extras. The best of the Bovey Tracey bowlers was Oliver McCauley with 3 for 15 with T&K finishing on 130 for 7.
In reply apart from a magical over from young Noah Carswell who finished with 3 for 18, it was the Albie Bradley and James Bishop show for Bovey Tracey with 61 not out and 47 not out as Bovey Tracey won by a canter with 3.3 overs remaining and 7 wickets in hand.
The wait to lift the Brockman Cup goes on – 47 years and counting based on Torquay’s record in the competition. (Kingskerswell did though win it in 1982 but for Chelston their last win was back in 1967.)
It is interesting though Bovey Tracey couldn’t host the match last Tuesday or the previous Tuesday, had it not been for a “problem match” yet there is nothing on Play Cricket to suggest their ground was being used. Likewise sadly DACO was unable to provide two umpires that saying T&K need youngsters to become involved in scoring. With the ECB introducing Disparity Regulations then there is also the case for the free for all regarding u18s and / or who you played for last season to surely be reviewed.
THE RETURN OF WOMEN AND GIRLS CRICKET TO THE REC
Cricket for the fairer sex has come a long way since the photo of Torquay’s Ladies Team from 1960 which included Pat Dickinson (daughter of Mr Torquay CC – Ted Dickinson) and Sandra Lear (now married to another Torquay CC legend – Vaughan “Jocker” Hosking). The famous photo in the club house also includes Paul Dunkels in drag – you wouldn’t think a future QC would do such a thing!
Jump forward seven decades, three females having played for Torquay CC in the DCL, including one who went onto win a Cambridge Blue, with Ady Zumula about to come the first for T&K 4TH XI.
However, before then the big night had arrived Women and Girls Softball returned to the The Rec – a session organised by Ann-Marie Presswell the Women and Girls Development for the Devon Cricket Foundation. Twelve attended the session including Hollie Newbold who was a member of the Torquay CC Ladies team some fifteen years ago. Going forward the sessions will be run by our very own Ady Zumula.
Would you adam and eve it though T&Ks softball festival debut this Sunday morning at The Rec is against you guessed it – Barton CC!
SUMMER WORK PARTY WITH A NEW RECRUIT!
Welcome Ady!
The Dynamic Duo
Where Neil is happiest!
FIRST COLLABORATION WITH HOLLACOMBE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE – A COMPLETE SUCCESS
Evo our EDI Officer might have gone a bit left field with the club’s first collaboration with Hollacombe CRC but as always with Evo there is a method to his madness, thinking outside the “box”!
According to Emma, Evo’s contact, the clients had a so much fun painting some flower pots despite the orange paint having an accident with the floor! As Evo has said, “the standard of the painting certainly proves it is what you can do not what you can’t.”
The pots are actually going to be used as Ash Trays. Whilst the club doesn’t want to be seen to be encouraging smoking. It has to accept members smoke so it is better for “fag ends” to be disposed of safely especially if as we all hope we have a hot dry summer.
The unused paint has been donated to the Centre to use as they see fit for any other projects they may have – building good will. (Mr Rice the receipt might not ever reach you though.)
As Evo has said, “this is only the beginning. Next month we have been invited to their Open Day to let their clients loose with some Softball Cricket. In July the centre is keen to use The Rec for their Sponsored Walk and when there is cricket on weekday afternoon they are looking to come down for an hour or so to watch.”
Finally, a plea from Evo, “we need to make EDI work at the club but I can’t do it alone.”
