Devon C West

Bridestowe vs Ashburton

BRIDESTOWE closed the gap on Dartington and Totnes at the top of the league with a 10 wicket thumping of Ashburton.

Captain Mark Butler won the toss and chose to bowl first. Things started well as both Gary Sizmur and Tom Fogerty bowled accurate opening spells, which troubled both opening batsmen.

It did not take long until Fogerty had his first victim as Coon went back to pull and chopped on. Fogerty (3-12) then took another two wickets as first Causey chipped one to Dan Fogerty at short cover and then overseas McLennan edged to James Ewen at first slip.

A superb direct hit run out from Tom Fogerty brought another wicket but Dark (34) rebuilt the innings well and was able to punish anything short.

The Ashes were getting themselves back into contention until another flurry of wickets to Dan Fogerty (3-19) meant that they were in deep trouble at 63-6. Dan made good bounce and carry, as well as appreciable turn from his off-cutter, which was too hot to handle for Ashburton’s middle order.

There were some lusty blows from the bowling of Lavis and Jopling which pushed the score towards 100. Gary Sizmur made the breakthrough as he picked up a sharp caught behind by Mark Fogerty standing up.

Debutant Ben Luck (1-19) had Coon (24) safely caught by Lavis and Jopling produced another direct hit run out to remove Mole (27) to close the innings on a below-par 125.

The Bridestowe openers wasted no time in chasing the target down. Both Tom Fogerty and Sizmur looked untroubled at the crease, and despatched any loose balls to the fence.

The outfield gave value for shots which allowed the pair to race along at around a run a ball without being overly aggressive. Sizmur (67no) reached his half-century first with a late cut which flew to the boundary.

Tom Fogerty (50 not out) brought his half century with a six soon after and, with 99 for his side the previous game, he is beginning to hit some good form.

None of the Ashes bowlers were able to tie the openers down and the target was reached in only the 18th over of the innings, no wickets down.

Credit to Ashburton, who kept their heads up until the end of the game,

Bridestowe’s last three games are Chagford (away), Dartington and Totnes (away) and Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough (home), and they must win all three to guarantee a play-off place, with the league title still being a possibility.