Ashford's Indoor Cricket - Cup Shock

The first round of the Peter Blight Cup was notable for a shock defeat for

Division 1 winners at the hands of 2nd Division Newton St Cyres.

Bovey could justifiably feel a little aggrevieved at this reverse.

Having had selection problems because of their own clubs AGM, and the

need for their Devon skipper to be at Teignbridge Sports Personality awards,

they arrived for their game to find only two of the opposition who had

themselves suffered some communication difficulties.  Bovey sportingly allowed the

Saints time to get all their players to the centre, resulting in the

game being reduced to 10 overs a side.  The shortened game improved the

underdogs chances, and they took full advantage.

Batting

first Bovey reached an under par 90 from their 10 overs thanks to unbeaten scores of

27 from Jo Barrs and Chris Carter.  No one else got in to double

figures.The hero for Newton was the experienced Johnson who only

conceded 13 runs in his 3 overs.  In reply Newton relied on Church who

batted through the innings for 25, and some handy pitching in from their

other batters.  They still needed 18 from the last over, bowled by

Bovey skipper James Mason.The victory came with a single off the

penultimate ball. An obviously disappointed Bovey skipper took the

defeat in good part, refusing to blame the delay in starting for his

teams defeat.

Newton

will meet Division 2 champions Sandford in the first cup semi final. 

They proved too strong for Erratics, avenging last years defeat in the

cup. Sandford batted first

and amassed 119-4 with significant contributions from wicket keeping duo

Chris Blake(28*) and Nigel Ashplant (24). Erratics reply never really

got going, only opener Jonathan Kirby (20) hanging around for long.

There were 2 stumpings for Ashplant and two wickets for keeper turned

leggie, Blake.

The

third game was a potential banana skin for Exeter who had drawn their

young second string. With the score at 16-2 and Rob Holman and Mike

Wilkinson both out, the seconds had hopes of springing a surprise. 

However the indoor specialist Richard Nelsey scored an impressive 57 and

had support from George Greenaway (26*) and DaveRichardson (20*). The

final total of 135 was significantly more than seemed likely at one

stage. Jake Reddick with 18 from his three overs of leg spin was the

most successful 2nds bowler.  He also earned some money from older

brother Sam for dismissing Devon batter Holman. Sam was the two's

highest scorer in a respectable reply of 99-3, Steve Easterbrook 21*

offering good support.

Shobrooke

Park will be Exeter's opponents in the other cup semi final.  They

avenged two league defeats against Witheridge with a comprehensive 5

wicket victory. A below par Witheridge were dismissed for 66 in 11.5

overs with all the Park bowlers playing their part.

Andrew Steer was most successful with 2 wickets.  It only took

Shobrooke 6.3 overs to reach their target. Justin Dollow 22, and Phil

Anning 24* doing the damage.

The defeated teams go one to contest the Plate Competition. Bovey Tracey v Erratics and Exeter 2 v Witheridge.