Perhaps the greatest surprise on opening day of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League was sunshine gracing the majority of games. Much to the relief and tangible satisfaction of players and spectators.
Aside from the yearned for summery weather, day one pretty much went to type with low scores on green topped pitches with sluggish outfields. Toss winning captains inserting the opposition batters.
A very promising start for Noah Wright’s Paignton in the Premier Division. Abhay Negi took 4-22 on debut. Cole Harford’s 3-25, and two wickets for Jack Harman, saw Heathcoat dismissed for just 82 at Knightshayes.
Paignton made hard work of the run chase, losing eight wickets in the bowler friendly conditions, but nudged home to win in the 30th over.
Bovey Tracey started with a four-wicket loss at Cornwood, a team I see as serious title contenders this summer. Defending champions Sandford should go close again and enjoyed an opening six-wicket win at Exmouth.
This Saturday, Paignton face Exmouth at Queens Park and Bovey are home to Plympton.
In the A Division, merger club Torquay and Kingskerswell have 20 points to go alongside their new name, badge and new look 1st XI. They bucked the trend of low scores amassing a formidable 292-8.
Chris Kelmere top scored with 111, sharing a stand of 194 for the third wicket with new skipper Harry Passenger (84).
Hatherleigh made a good fight of the reply but fell 29 short of the win, Kelmere taking 4-41 and the man of the match title.
Abbotskerswell won the toss but let Kilmington get too many in 209-9, Inder Singh taking 3-14 on debut. Abbots’ reply started dreadfully. They never recovered from 8 for 5, limping to 122 all out.
Week two sees Torquay welcome Plymouth to The Rec, as Abbotskerswell travel to Instow to play North Devon.
In the B Division, Steve Lewis made a winning start as Barton captain. Zimbabwean recruit Tarisai Masakanda hit the ground running with two wickets and 58 not out. Morgan Harford took 5-6 off 3.4 overs, as Clyst St. George were bowled out for 126. Barton got home inside 25 overs for the loss of four wickets.
Ipplepen also secured a maximum 20 points from day one. Newly promoted Teignmouth and Shaldon were inserted, then bowled out for 130, Noah Rider taking 4-36.
Pens procured the win in the 32nd over, despite losing their first three batters for ducks, Tom Durman steadying the ship with 77.
Stoke Gabriel began life in B Division with an encouraging 15-run win at Bovey Tracey 2nds. Abhishek Anand hit 63 in Stoke’s 130 all out, which proved to be enough. Justin Pringle took 4-21, as Bovey’s reply halted at 115 all out.
Barton and Ipplepen face each other at Cricketfield Road on Saturday. Stoke Gabriel host Clyst St. George.
My first game as a spectator this season was at North Boundary Road for Brixham v Ivybridge.
Whilst the town below indulged in pirate skirmishes and associated frolics, Ivybridge were showing why they will be worth keeping a close eye on in C Division West.
On another green top, they posted a commendable 209-8. Brixham lost vital early wickets and could not build partnerships of any note against tight bowling, their reply only reaching 75 when the final wicket fell in the 26th over.
Paignton 2nds can usually field a strong team with plenty of first-team experience and potential. Their 195-7, 69 from George Woodcock, proved too much on the day for South Devon, who fell 27 short in reply.
Paignton travel to Plymouth 2nds next, when Brixham are at Cornwood 2nds and South Devon host Yelverton.
Babbacombe returned to D Division West with a 41-run win at Kenn. Dartington and Totnes were very unlucky in having no play against Hatherleigh 2nds.
Finally, there was a first day win for St. Marychurch Old Boys, in another low scoring contest at Cockington, in H Division Central.