Cricket B Division: Thorverton on form for derby clash with Shobrooke

Thorverton  go into Saturday’s derby clash against Shobrooke Park second in the B Division table after beating Braunton by 75 runs.
The Thors recovered from 75 for six to make 185 all out in the last of their 45 overs – Dan Beatty top-scoring with 71.
After Jake Crouch had been and gone for 29, the Thors collapsed and a stand of 77 between Beatty and Harry Choules (32) got them a target the bowlers could defend.
Braunton were all out for 110 in reply – their last five wickets falling for 17 runs as they collapsed against Jake Choules (4-21). Beatty (2-15) and the impressive Stuart Tait (2-18) backed up Choules.
Thorverton trail leaders Tavistock by 12 points and will be looking to narrow the gap against Shobrooke.
Skipper Graham White said the day started badly by losing the toss, but thanks to some gritty displays it worked out well. White said: “We were put in on a wet one and at 75 for six I am thinking ‘lost the toss, lost the game’.
“Having got a total, we then set about defending it. Jake did well for us, but I have to mention Stuart Tait, who came on as first change and bowled exceptionally.”
<b>Shobrooke Park</b> came a cropper against bottom side Stoke Gabriel, who sneaked home by one wicket in a thrilling game.
Veteran Richard Pyle top scored for Shobrooke with 47 in a total of 197 all out. Jon James (33) and Chris Simpson (29) weighed in with some support.
An unbeaten century from Seb Ansley – he made 103 off 125 balls – saw Stoke to their first win of the season.
Simpson (3-42), Alvin Pollard (2-44) and Nick Prell (2-55) all put Stoke under pressure at times, but could not budge Ansley.
<b>Axminster</b> beat Bideford by 42 runs in the clash of the prompted sides.
Axminster were runners-up to Bideford in the C Division last season, but there was nothing second rate about them in their win.
A stand of 62 between Joel Seward (33) and Paul Miller (20) pointed Axminster towards their final total of 185 for nine after opener Johnny Hurford had made 52 in a 72-run partnership with Gary Larcombe.
With wickets in hand in the last five overs, Axminster swung the bat.
Bideford were soon in trouble at 23 for three as Nick Taylor (2-25) took wickets while Seward was bottling them up.
Alex Wraight (3-18) and Dan Fuzzard (2-11) removed the lower-order batters to give Axminster a comfortable win.
Axminster, who gave a debut to new signing Dave Field against Bideford, are away to Braunton this weekend.