After a depressing winter BTCC 1st XI started their 2021 season welcoming an Exeter University side to the Recreation ground for a 40 over match. On a cold day with COVID restrictions in place the teams were not permitted to use the pavilion changing facilities, just the toilets.

Bovey introduced their new 1st XI Captain, Lewis Hammett, who had played for Bovey for many years as a wicket keeper batsman. Lewis won the toss and decided to bat.

The Bovey boys found it difficult as they had had little practice. Opener Taylor Ingham Hill did not last long scoring just 6. Peter Bradley then came into bat and was dismissed first ball without scoring. Abraham Kooparambil and Lewis Hammett then took the score to just 21 when a further collapse took place with the next four wickets falling for just 36. When the Bovey boys had scored just 57 for 9. It was left to Chris Bradley and Freddie Ford to recover the score to 114 when Ford was dismissed for 11 and Chris Bradley carrying his bat 38 not out. Bovey finally completed their innings on just 114 of 30.4 overs.

After a short break (no catering) Exeter University set about their innings and were soon on 117 for 4 wickets. At this point it was agreed to permit Exeter’s innings to bowl out the 40 overs. Exeter went on to score 222 for 8 with Harry Thistlewaite scoring 51, Harry fisher 48 and Josh Drage 47. The Bovey bowlers toiled away, new boy Elliot Adams with 2 for 57, Ashley Causey 3 for 34 and Chris Bradley with 2 for 19 off his 8 overs.

This had been a good, friendly, contest allowing all the players to get some practice.

Full scorecard can be found on Play-Cricket.

By Geoff Coish