Pens beat leaders to stay in title running

A NAIL-biting end to the season has been set up by Ipplepen U17s, who inflicted a close victory over previously undefeated Abbotskerswell at Moor Lane.

Defending 110 for victory, Ipplepen’s five bowlers all sent down tight spells with Jamie Gray (2-18), Ed Woolcott (3-10) and Jo Abbot (3-22) particularly successful.

The early Abbots’ batsmen got out when set, but Matt Kidd (21) and Neil Last (30no) kept them in the game. Even so the innings ended eight runs short on 103 for nine.

Earlier, the third-wicket stand of 47 by Ipplepen boosted the side.

Batsmen Abbot (24), Matt Hodgson (23no) and Sam Wakeham (33) restricted Abbots to only five bowling points, although Noah Tobias took a couple of wickets in his two overs.

Ipplepen can share the championship title with Abbotskerswell if they win their last match and take maximum bonus points.

Their final match against Chudleigh should be a thriller.

UNDER 11s

SHALDON had a disappointing final game of their season, losing comfortably to a disciplined Dartington side who moved one place above them to fourth with this victory.

Alex Hartridge was the dangerman for the visitors, taking three wickets then scoring a maximum 30 runs with the bat.

D&T scored 92 for two then dismissed Shaldon for 95.

For Shaldon Fred Fearnley scored his first maximum 30 runs after going close a number of times during the season.

The previous evening Shaldon registered a close-fought victory over Kingskerswell by three wickets.

Batting second in reply to Kerswell’s 108 for seven, Robert Butterfield and Jamie Kelly achieved their first 30-run maximums, saving the day after star batsmen Dan Woolnough, Joe Wilcox and Fearnley were dismissed for two runs between them!

After Kelly and Butterfield retired it was left to some of the less experienced players to finish the job. Will Hoare (6) then Cameron Kearney (4) saw them home with an over to spare!

Shaldon finished the season with eight wins and four defeats to finish fifth in a league of 13 U11 teams.

Dartington & Totnes U11s collected two 30-point wins in the final round of fixtures to claim fourth place in the table.

The win over Shaldon was preceded by a victory over Barton.

In form Hartridge took three wickets against Barton and scored 24 runs.

Abbotskerswell finished their first season in the league with three rain-abandoned games, but gathered enough points to move off bottom place.

Bovey Tracey and Paignton were clear in first and second place in the final table.

Five teams with eight wins and four losses shows how competitive the rest of the division was.