Solid start with promising signs as B&K open title defence with win

BRADNINCH & Kentisbeare opened their defence of the Tolchards Devon County League Premier Division title they won last year with a six-wicket win over near neighbours Heathcoat.

- by CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Heathcoat lost openers Tom Hatton then Travis Norris in the first two overs bowled by B&K’s new overseas player Malusi Siboto (2-18), and laboured for runs after that.

Best of the scorers came from Devon players past and present - Liam Lewis (22) and Harry Southgate (19) on the way to 121 all out.

Only Sam Broomhead (15), skipper Jamie Drew (11no) and Joe Hancock got into double figures after Lewis departed. Heathcoat'’s Joe Gillett (2-20) got into the middle order before Mitch Pugh (3-27) picked-off the tail.

Bradninch & Kentisbeare made a ‘wobbly’ start as Joe Hancock and returning South African seamer Malcolm Cloete (3-34) sent back Gary Chappell then Tim Piper in the first nine balls. Cloete truck twice in four balls to dispatch Pugh (20) and Dan Hardy as the defending champions stumbled to 33 for four.

Theo Lamey, who had gone in first wicket down, was still and batted through for an unbeaten 42 in an unbroken partnership of 89 with Jonathan Triner (46no) that won the game in the 20th over.

For Chappell, the title-winning captain, it was a solid start with promising signs for the games ahead.