Bovey remain top after avoiding tricky chase on hot day for cricket

BOVEY Tracey defeated Bridestowe & Belstone by seven wickets to retain their spot in the A Division top four.

- by CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Only three Bridestowe & Belstone batters made it into double figures in a total of 156 all out - and one of those was Craig Penberthy, who made 24 down the order at number nine.

Without Kian Burns’ rapid 71 off 54 balls - nine fours, three sixes - B&B would not have recovered from 84 for seven.

Bovey’s seam bowling proved B&B's undoing with three wickets each for Rob Pryke (3-33) and Seb Ansley (3-47), plus two with the new ball for Ben Kay (2-17).

Bovey opener Jake Pascoe did not last long - in an out for two - but Harry Mount (26) and Slade van Staden (57) made a 72-run dent in the deficit.

Albie Bradley (33no) and Tom Andrew (12no) had victory in the bag for Bovey with more than 24 overs to spare.

Ansley, the Bovey Tracey skipper, said he was happy to lose the toss and bowl first.

“On a hot day where I don’t think anyone would’ve bowled first by choice, I was fortunate not to make the decision,” said Ansley.