Maiden fifty for Liam Bligh, broken finger for Kevan in winning draw v Plympton

Dartington & Totnes II 206 for 8  Plympton III 151 for 9

 After an April with record sunshine the natural pessimism of cricketers seemed to be coming to fruition with heavy thunderstorms on the eve of the opening of the Devon Cricket League season.  When D&T arrived at Gunnislake the ground, by the bank of the River Tamar, was shrouded in low cloud but the pitch, although damp, was eminently playable.

 D&T fielding a side with a good blend of youth and experience were put in to bat and scored a very defendable 206.  The innings was notable for Liam Bligh scoring his maiden senior fifty with an impressively mature innings which belied his years.  Bligh’s finely judged knock contained 3 fours, a six and 25 singles. Coming in at number three, he eclipsed his uncle Mike (Jarvis) who had earlier got the innings away to a good start with 37, hitting seven boundaries in his characteristic style.

 Skipper, Kevan Throgmorton hit 38 , Tom Petherick 18, with further contributions down the order.  Chris Life raised the 200 in the final over.  Gareth Havard was the pick of Plympton’s bowlers with 4 for 45.

 In reply Plympton made a solid if slow start, pegged back by accurate opening bowling. 38 runs were on the board before opener Chapman was run out, following a fine throw by Dan Goord.   It was a surprise that David Carter had not opened the attack and his introduction proved to be a turning point.  Carter bowled opener Higgins for a solid 37 and, bowling in tandem with spinner Petherick, wickets began to tumble.

 Petherick struck in his first over when Paul Raven blasted him to the long on boundary straight into the hands of Throgmorton.  At least it seemed to go straight into his hands- unfortunately he had broken his finger, leaving D&T with ten men on the field.  Maynard struck Carter for two big sixes before Carter had the last laugh, bowling him for 23.  Understandably, the Plympton batsmen found Carter’s pace, allied to the gathering gloom a difficult proposition.

 The fifth wicket went down at 105 when Bligh took a good catch to dismiss Gilpin for a duck off Petherick.  Carter (4 for 44) and Petherick (3 for 26) each struck again but D&T were held up by an eighth wicket stand between Mortimer (24) and Stubblefield (25).  The overs were ticking down before Mortimer was dismissed in the game’s champagne moment when Jarvis, at silly mid off, leapt like a salmon to take a fine one handed catch.  Jono Colegate finally gained some reward for his endeavours, bowling Stubblefield, but Plympton doggedly held out for a draw.

 

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