Overseas Xl

All's Well that Ends Well

The final development match of the season at least proved there is a sun up there somewhere and provided a fitting conclusion to the wettest summer in the 13 years experience of the writer. Bovey were exceptional hosts as the Overseas eleven chose to bat and Nat Price promptly sent back South Devon's Max Sorenson fourth ball. Plympton's Rashaad Magiet joined Plymouth 's Suman Dass and put on 38 before Dass was caught by Adam Parker off Stephen George. Magiet fresh from a Premier ton looked in very good form and with the overseas skipper James MaMahon advanced the score to 103 putting on 65. Abbots McMahon was then well held by George on the deep square boundary returning the complement to Parker for 17. Ten were added for fourth wicket and then enter Craig Miles. He has bowled very little this season but showed his true worth in then taking his second county hat trick in two seasons - this time all bowled! He first removed his club mate the dangerous Magiet for a 75 ball 56, sent the home sides Julian Stephenson on his way and then ruined Shobroke's Ashley Sutherland day. Before Miles entry the captain Will Murray had bowled four maidens before Magiet had despatched him for 21 off two overs. At 113-6 the complexion of the game had changed dramatically and despite an eighth wicket partnership between Kingskerswell's Karl Read and Brixham's Pat Steytler it was Gary Larcombe in charge as he took 4-36 off 8.4 overs. He was assisted by good catches from Miles, Williams, Parker and Murray. Our summer visitors were 185 all out with 20 balls unused.

For the second successive match the top order folded with Tavistock's Craig Alexander's pace too much for Williams and Watkin who snicked catches behind and were well held by the keeper Jay Mangala from Clyst Hydon and the captain first slip McMahon who was assisted by his chest as the ball lodged safely. Steytler bowled Mills and Grainger and the side were somewhat precariously placed at 9-4. David Manning then came to the rescue winning his personal battle with team mate Alexander and James Toms showed his true ability that has been concealed this year in Torquay's second team. He played some characteristic back foot pulls and cuts and slowly by slowly the pressure was relieved despite four maidens on the trot from spinners Rajapakse and Khandia. Manning was dropped in the slips and Toms at cover as the pair put on 113 match winning runs.

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