Devon Cricket League
1st XI C division west
Kingsbridge 241 for 7,
Ashburton 242 for 3;
Kingsbridge (six points) lost to Ashburton (18)
by seven wickets
Kingsbridge entertained Ashburton at the Butts last weekend.
On the driest pitch so far, Kingsbridge stand-in captain Westlake elected to bat.
The outfield was like lightning and runs came quickly despite the loss of a couple of early wickets.
Westlake led from the front, punishing the bad ball with some hard hitting, putting on 65 for the third wicket with Bridgens before the latter was stumped for 26.
This brought Alex Browne to the crease for his seasonal debut, and together the pair immediately got on top of the bowling.
Westlake looked to be cruising to his century and the total towards the late two hundreds.
However, a fine low catch removed him on 91 with 10 overs remaining. He had put on 68 with Browne, hoisting the total to 180.
Normally the last 10 overs will see 10-plus an over scored with wickets in hand, but the introduction of Matt Coon up the hill with a questionably low action saw little bounce, accounting for three wickets.
Browne went for a well-crafted 54 as Kingsbridge totalled a creditable 241 for 7.
With bowling resources a little thin, with captain de Silva in Sri Lanka and Carr taking on the family childminding duties, a couple of quick wickets and a tight start were essential.
Unfortunately this didn't happen. Durman was removed quickly but the run rate was more than six from the outset.
Kingsbridge were also hindered by the onset of light rain, making the ball wet and the pitch easier, and never really got into the game.
Edges behind the stumps never went to hand and all the batsmen got in scoring runs relatively easily.
Mclellan scored 60 and Dark saw his team home with a well made 80 not out as Ashburton won by seven wickets.
The match ball was kindly sponsored by Ilbert Road filling station.
Saturday sees Kingsbridge visit high-flying Chagford looking to welcome back de Silva on his return and hopefully Carr as well.
Devon Cricket League
2nd XI B division west
Torquay 144-1,
Kingsbridge 142-9;
Torquay (19 points) beat Kingsbridge (two) by nine wickets
On a sunny day in Torquay Kings lost the toss and got put into bat on a great batting wicket.
Opener James Ellis looked in good touch while A Chandler and E Church were out with two dubious decisions.
In stepped young George Holland, however, who put a great 92 partnership on with Ellis.
At this stage Kingsbridge were looking like they would score 200 runs to get the maximum five batting points, Holland holding down one end to leave Ellis free scoring at the other.
Ellis reached a thoroughly deserved 50 but the very next over he walked past a straight ball and was out for an excellent half-century which he will have been disappointed not to turn into a bigger score.
Young G Holland finally made his well-earned 50 against a great bowling attack, he fell on 52 but it is great to see the youngsters doing well in the seconds. The middle order din't add many runs, meaning Kings slumped to 116-9.
The two tail-enders, Mike Perkin and the mighty Tim Bissett, took the score to 142-9 after the 45 overs bowled, which earned Kings two batting points.
Perkin made 15 not out and Bissett nine not out.
In reply Kings knew Torquay had a good batting line up so they would have to bowl and field well.
Opening bowlers M Edmonds (1-34 from nine) and M Perkin (0-28 from eight) bowled tightly but only picked up one wicket, that of danger man Ben Passenger for 35.
Four other bowlers were used and they did their best, but Torquay captain Crooks scored 80 not out and won the game for the home side.
The result meant that Kings only picked up two points and left them still rooted to the bottom of the table, three points behind Plymouth.
Next week is a must-win game against struggling South Devon; 20 points from this match would see Kings leapfrog both Plymouth and South Devon.
It's looking good that the second team will have a strong team for the home game at the Butts this Saturday and are well up for it. The club wishes to once again thank the players that helped make up the numbers, having 11 players makes it a lot easier in the field.