Devon Cricket Board - Longstreet blasts Bovey into final

Longstreet blasts Bovey into final

ANDREW Longstreet hit a six in the last over to give Bovey Tracey a narrow three-wicket win over Brixham in the second semi-final of the Aaron Printers Narracott Cup.

   Brixham’s total of 134 all out in the last of their 20 overs looked around 15 below par during the change over – and when Bovey were 60 for one in reply the game only looked like ending one way.

   When Bovey were 71 for five a couple of overs later it was a different story as it was Brixham who appeared to be in control of affairs at Torquay Recreation Ground.

   Enter youngsters Sam Wyatt-Haines, last season’s Devon U13s skipper, and 17-year-old Longstreet to get Bovey back in the game.

   Bovey got down to the last two overs needing 19 to win and two big blows from Longstreet – both for six – won the game with four balls to spare.

   Brixham made a racing start through openers George Northcott (17) and Richard Ward (23), who posted 45 without loss.

   Ward was bowled by Wyatt-Haines looking to drive and three runs later Northcott had a swish at Charlie Carter and missed.

   Mark Orchard and skipper Chris Lanyon got the score up to 70 when the captain holed out at long-on to give opposite number James Mason his wicket.

   Orchard (33) and Craig Eaves (24) added another 51 in a stand that ended when Orchard was caught hitting out in an attempt to raise the tempo.

   Eaves chanced his arm against Arren deYoung’s and was run out coming back for a second as Brixham found themselves 130 for five.

   Wickets tumbled in the scramble for runs in the last three overs – five of them for four runs as the Brixham innings faded.

   Bovey opened up with Chris Clayton and deYoung, whose partnership was worth 31 when deYoung got out to Lee Upham.

   Clayton and Dan Green nudged the score up to 60 and when Green was caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary off Craig Eaves there seemed no cause for alarm in the Bovey camp.

   Carter was in and out for a single – Orchard bowled him – then Clayton was well caught at point by Northcott square driving Eaves.

   Orchard followed up by snaring Lewis Hammett lbw and at 71 for five it was game on.

   Wyatt-Haines (20) and Longstreet (29) saw Bovey over the hump in a stand of 32. Simon Newton and Mason played the supporting roles to see the chase through to a happy conclusion.

   Waiting for Bovey in next Friday night’s final at Stoke Gabriel CC are Ipplepen, who defeated Dartington & Totnes last Friday night in the first semi.

   Brixham 134 (M Orchard 33, C Eaves 24, R Ward 33; D Green 3-33, A deYoung 2-30), Bovey Tracey 139-7 (C Clayton 30, A Longsteet 29no, D Green 20, S Wyatt-Haines 20; M Orchard 2-21, C Eaves 2-27, T Robinson 2-26). Bovey bt Brixham by 3 wkts.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773