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Division 3 (East) latest table (click here)
Division 3 County Final
Bugle v St.Just II
Our quest for County title, which
began back in 1956, once again stumbled at the last hurdle when we were beaten by St.Just
in the Division 3 Final at St.Blazey.
All seemed to be going our way when,
having won the toss, we proceeded to dismiss the West Cornwall club for a relatively modest total. St.Just were reliant upon Jeremy Harvey, who survived
several near chances for his 52, and Robert Jose (28) as Andrew Thomas (4-28) and Kevin Spencer (3-35) restricted them to
just 144 runs.
Under normal circumstances this season
that would have been well within our capabilities. However some contentious umpiring decisions saw us quickly reduced
to 33 for 5 with some very puzzled batsmen shaking their heads in the pavilion. From there on in it was only a matter of time
before the inevitable happened. A spirited stand of 53 runs between Andrew Thomas (38) and Jake Moore (16) brought some hope
but once they were dismissed the tail failed to wag and we were finally dismissed for a paltry 112 runs. For St.Just
Curnow took 3-40, Williams 3-45 and Stephens 2-43.
All in all a disappointing end to our
most successful season ever when we lost only one match on our way to a convincing Division 3 East title.
Launceston v Bugle
We celebrated our winning of the league with another comprehensive
victory away to Launceston.
With Nathan Toms stuck in traffic, and Chris Hocking totally lost, it was probably
fortunate that Nigel once again lost the toss and we were put in to bat.
Promoted to open in order to get some much needed batting practice before next week's
final, Andrew Thomas soon put the Launceston opening attack to the sword, and with Neil Spencer contributing at the other
end, the 50 came up in the seventh over. When Andrew was dismissed for 46 in the eleventh over the score was already on 97.
A steady partnership with Kevin Spencer (46) followed before Neil, having reached
his ton, retired in order to give the middle order some batting. Nathan Toms once again showed his class with a well struck
53 and the final total of 293-7 could well have been even greater.
Again in order to provide some practice for the change bowlers, some of whom had
not turned their arm in a month, we decided to dispense with the services of our usual opening attack. However
the Launceston batsmen, well led by the experienced Geoff Garrett (96), knuckled down well and, whilst never looking like
winning the match, were determined not to give their wickets away. A long spell in the field saw seven Bugle bowlers
used and only five wickets taken as the home team eventually reached 179-5 leaving Bugle winners by 114 runs.
Bugle 17 points, Launceston 7 points
We now face St.Just in the East/West final at St.Blazey next Saturday.
h
Bugle v Ladock
A comprehensive win from our penultimate League match of the season was enough (with
help from other results) to give us an unassailable lead at the top of Division 3 (East). With one match to go we lead the
rest by 23 points.
The match against Ladock, although an easy one on paper, was not taken lightly and.
after three blank Saturdays, extra effort and motivation was required.
After winning the toss (unusually for skipper Nigel Couchman) and inserting the visitors, our
Bugle bowlers wasted no time in getting down to business. The Ladock batsmen had no answer to Neil Spencer, Andrew Thomas
and Paul Gribble, and were dismissed for a paltry 47 runs in just 23 overs (of which 18 came from a last wicket stand).
Openers Neil Spencer and Nigel Couchman then showed that the wicket was not to blame
as they knocked off the required runs in less than 12 overs.
All and all a very professional performance!
'
Bugle v Saltash
Can you believe it? No cricket for 3 weeks and finally we get a reasonable day.
And what happens? Saltash ring on the morning to say they cannot raise as side!
To say it is frustrating would be a total understatement. The only up side is that
we get the full 20 points from a match which could have been a tight one. Without playing, our lead at the top of the
division has increased to 17 points.
Bugle 20 points, Saltash nil points.
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Boconnoc v Bugle
Another Saturday, another rainy winter's day and no cricket throughout Cornwall
for the second consecutive week.
Boconnoc 6 points, Bugle 6 points
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Bugle v Wadebridge
The rotten summer continued with another rainy Saturday. It had been virtually
impossible to get on to the ground during the week to do any pitch preparation and only a miracle on Saturday morning
was ever going to get this game played. No miracle was forthcoming and, along with the rest of Cornwall, another game
bit the dust.
Bugle 6 points, Wadebridge 6 points.
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Tideford v Bugle
Our unbeaten run,
stretching back to August last year, finally came to an end on Saturday when we lost at second placed Tideford.
After losing the toss and
being put in a pudding of a track, it was always going to be an uphill struggle. And so it proved, with wickets falling on
a regular basis it was only the consistent Nathan Toms (32) and stalwart Kevin Spencer (19) who really got anywhere near mastering
the poor conditions. Never the less no one gave their wicket away without a struggle and it was not until the last over that
we were finally dismissed for a disappointing 130 runs.
For Tideford John Burgess
took 2-26, Mark Lister 2-34, Nathan Lister 2-50, with Jamie King (2-4) mopping things up in the last over.
The Tideford batsmen found
things no less difficult during their turn at the crease, but with such a low total to aim for, it was only a matter of keeping
patient and the runs were sure to come. Skipper Nigel Couchman rang all the changes with the bowling attack but, for once,
nothing seemed to work. Opener Lawrence Marsh rode his luck with an unbeaten 44 and he was well supported by Mark Lister (38no)
and Jamie King (24).
In the end Tideford ran
out deserved winners by 8 wickets.
We still lead the division
by 15 points.
Tideford 20 points Bugle 4 points
*
Bugle v Veryan
We had a surprisingly
easy win at home to Veryan. The visitors must have regretted their decision to bat first when the our opening attack
promptly reduced them to 27 for 6. None of the Veryan batsmen had any answer to the bowling of Andrew Thomas, who took 3-6
from his 12 overs, Neil Spencer, who started with five maidens on his way to 2-19, and Nathan Toms who ended with 3-24.
For much of their innings
the total languished behind the overs bowled and it was only the visitors tail enders who really brought any respectability
to the score when some lusty blows from Rounsevell, Hill and Towell took the final total to 76.
In response e survived
the early loss of Nigel Couchman and quickly knocked off the required runs in just 18 overs. Both Nathan Toms (28no) and Neil
Spencer (20) completed successful days with both bat and ball as Bugle won by 8 wickets.
Bugle 20 points, Veryan
2 points
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| St.Minver v
Bugle |
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| We were involved in a cliff hanger at St.Minver. |
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| Put in to bat
everything seemed to be going our way when openers Neil Spencer (75) and Nigel Couchman (28) put the home bowling attack to
the sword with a stand of 64 in just 13 overs. However once that stand was broken our remaining batsmen struggled against
the St.Minver second and third change bowlers. With four wickets falling owith the score on 145, what had been a charge became
a long hard footslog for the middle order with only Kevin Spencer (26) really troubling the scorers. Only a determined, and
undefeated, ninth wicket stand of 35 between Paul Tucker (22no) and Adrian Thomas (17no) took our total to a reasonably respectable
194-8. |
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| After tea the
St.Minver batsmen made steady if not spectacular progress. Opener Shaun Hawken made a rapid 25 but once he had departed three
more quick wickets seemingly brought the game well in to our grasp. But St.Minver were not going to let go that easily and
a big stand between Chris Morris (61) and skipper Robbie Hawken (44), aided by what was probably our worst fielding display
of the season, pulled the match back on to a knife edge. |
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| A fine spell of
bowling from Neil Spencer (4-36), well supported by Nathan Toms (2-37) kept the home team in check but with just a few overs
to go it really was anyone’s game. With tensions high and tempers becoming more than somewhat frayed it was reintroduction
of Andrew Thomas to the attack for his third spell that became the defining moment in the game. The dismissal of the stubborn
Robbie Hawken brought in the St.Minver tail but at the start of the final over just six runs were required. But we were not
going to lose their unbeaten tag that easily, and Andrew duly dismissed the last two batsmen to clinch a very tight and exciting
four run victory with just one ball to spare. |
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Bugle 19 points St.Minver 8 points
* |
Looe v Bugle
We showed our fighting
spirit with splendid victory at Looe. Put in to bat on a low slow track the writing seemed to be on the wall when openers
Jake Moore and Nigel Couchman went with only nine runs on the board, and when big scorers Nathan Toms and Andrew Thomas went
in consecutive balls with the total only on 23, all seemed lost. A fine spell of bowling from Rob Trethowan (4-32) made things
especially difficult.
However the depth of our
batting was displayed when a solid partnership of 70 between Gary Spencer (46) and Kevin Spencer (42 not out) put some respectability
to the score. With runs extremely hard to come by the eventual total of 141-8, whilst far better than was expected given the
early losses, was not exactly a big score for the Looe batsmen to aim for, and at the tea interval it was very much the home
side with their tails in the air.
But we are not undefeated
this season for nothing, and fine display of defensive bowling soon put the home batsmen under pressure. With usual opening
bowler Neil Spencer not playing, it was the support bowlers who did the damage this time, encouraged by some very determined
fielding. Skipper Nigel Couchman led the way with 4-22, well supported by Kevin Spencer (4-34). Whilst it took 44 overs to
do it, Looe were finally dismissed for 120 runs with none of their batsmen really being allowed to get going. Only tail ender
James Facey really troubled the scorers (and briefly the Bugle players) with a well struck 23 late on.
Not our best performance
this season by far, but one which one which demonstrated our new-found grit and determination, and showed why we
are sitting proud at the top of the division.
Bugle 18 points Looe 7
points
*
Bugle v Tintagel
Together with every other match in Cornwall this one fell foul of the attrocious weather. Unfortunately it also meant
that we will not be playing Tintagel this season as the the away fixture was similarly doomed.
Bugle 6 points Tintagel 6 points
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St.Erme v Bugle
A superb first ever century
from Nathan Toms (131) helped us improve our lead at the top of Division 3 (East) with a 142 run win at St.Erme.
Having elected to bat first
we lost a couple of early wickets which brought Nathan to the crease. With the growing confidence and batting skill that he
has shown all season he proceeded to knock the home attack all over the field. With batting partner Jake Moore performing
the support role, the pair put on 106 runs for the fifth wicket. The fact that Jake’s share of that partnership was
10 runs demonstrates Nathan’s dominance. However for some reason the scoring slowed later on and, despite a late input
from Kevin Spencer (21 not out) the final total of 227-8 was a little disappointing in the circumstances.
However it proved to be
more than enough for St.Erme. The home side showed no real desire to go after the runs and it was only a matter of time before
the inevitable result was reached. Only two home batsmen reached double figures as St.Erme were dismissed for just 85 runs.
Pick of the bowlers were Neil Spencer (4-14) and Andrew Thomas (3-14) with Paul Gribble, Gary Spencer and skipper Nigel Couchman
picking up one apiece.
Bugle 20 points St.Erme
6 points
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Bugle v Boconnoc
Despite every effort the home match against Boconnoc eventually fell victim to the weather. With the
track having been covered since Thursday evening it was hoped that the rain might abate sufficiently to get some sort of match
played.
However it was not to be. A reduced to 38 overs match finally got under way at 3.00, only for the rain
to return an hour later and the match was abandoned.
During that time Nathan Toms (opening for once) knocked up an undefeated 31 but that was the only
highlight of an otherwise very frustrating day.
Bugle 7 points Boconnoc 7 points
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Bugle v Tideford
With both sides unbeaten
so far this season Tideford’s visit to Sandy Lane was an eagerly awaited affair. However in the event the match
proved to be a relatively easy win for us.
After winning the toss
and electing to bowl first the our bowlers never really let the Tideford batsmen get into their stride. An impressive spell
from Andrew Thomas (3-35) saw the first three wickets fall for just 44 and from then on the visitors were always playing catch
up. It was probably not our best fielding display of the season with a couple of easy chances being spilled, but it was certainly
good enough for Tideford. A solid 66 not out from Mark Lindfield, with support from Lawrence Marsh (40) and Phil Ruse (32),
prevented a rout but with Nathan Toms taking 3-52 the visitors were restricted to just 191-8 in their allotted overs.
In response the openers
Neil Spencer (75) and Nigel Couchman (29) set about the Tideford attack from the start and the hundred was reached after only
15 overs. Nathan Toms (45) continued his season’s good form and the winning run was scored after just 34 overs.
Bugle 19 points Tideford 5 points
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Wadebridge v Bugle
Despite missing a couple of regulars a fine 137 from opener Neil Spencer saw us through to a convincing 89 run victory
at Wadebridge.
An opening partnership of 127 with Nigel Couchman (39) was followed by a second wicket stand of 90 with Gary Spencer
(28), but with a score of 217-1 was quickly followed by one of 214-4 as the wheels came off the middle order.
However the final total of 253-6 was a;lways going to be a good one.
Whilst seven Wadebridge batsmen got into double figures, none of them was able to put together the big total that was
going to win the match. A fine spell of bowling from Natan Toms (5-27), well supported by Kevin Spencer (2-29), was enough
to restrict the home to a final total of 164.
Bugle 20 points, Wadebridge 7 points.
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Saltash v Bugle
The curse of Chris Hocking struck again when our match at Saltash was eventually called off without a ball being bowled.
Chris has now been selected for three matches this season and every time the game has been cancelled due to rain.
This time we made the trip to Landulph only to be met by a torrential downpour as we approached the ground. Although
the track was covered, water had leaked through on a length and, despite the sun now shining, the damp patch never really
looked like drying.
In an attempt to get the get the game played, another track was cut (although with a mower that could not cut under one
inch it was never going to be very special) and play was scheduled to commence at 4.00. As the teams were changing, another
deluge decided our fate and the game was cancelled.
Bugle 6 points, Saltash 6 points
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Bugle v St.Minver
Despite all our best efforts, including having Neil Spencer camped out on the ground during the weekend, and having the
covers on throughout, our Bank Holiday match against St.Minver, eventually succombed to the weather.
No sooner had the covers been removed in order to carry out the pre-match wicket preparation, the heavens opened
and, in line with most of the rest of the county, the match was called off.
Bugle 6 points, St.Minver 6 points
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Bugle v Looe
We survived our toughest test to date with a comprehensive six wicket victory at Sandy
Lane over visiting Looe.
With
skipper Nigel Couchman finally winning the toss and electing to bowl, again for the first time this season, our
bowlers made steady if not spectacular inroads into the visitors batting order. Whilst the wickets did not exactly tumble,
the Looe batsmen found runs hard to come by and despite steady knocks from Aidan Libby (61), Adam Nance (32). Robin Trethowan
(22) and Sam Higgins (20), no one looked likely to make the acceleration necessary to reach a really competitive total. Although
they eventually reached a respectable 172-7, it never really looked a winning score. For Bugle Andrew Thomas took 3-29 and
Nathan Toms 2-46, whilst Adrian Thomas and Neil Spencer chipped in with one apiece.
After tea we
suffered a mini collapse after the openers had put on 45 for the first wicket. New opener Nigel Couchman’s dismissal
on 23 was followed by two more quick wickets before Nathan Toms (64) steadied the ship when he featured in a 101 run stand
with Neil Spencer who batted through the innings for an undefeated 65. Without ever really accelerating the winning run was
scored for the loss of just four wickets with seven overs to spare. For the visitors the impressive Vernon Du Preez took 3-32
in his 12 over spell.
Looe 172-7,
Bugle 173-4
Bugle 18
points, Looe 6 points.
*
Bugle v St.Minver
Despite all our best efforts, including having Neil Spencer camping out on the ground during the weekend, and having
the covers in place throughout, our Bank Holiday match against St.Minver, succombed to the weather.
Any faint hopes that the game might go ahead disappeared when the heavens opened as the pre-match preparation to the
track was about to commence.
Bugle 6 points, St.Minver 6 points
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Tintagel v Bugle
In line with the vast majority of matches in the league, heavy rain, both overnight and the previous
day, led to an early cancellation of the game from Tintagel.
Bugle 6 points, Tintagel 6 points
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Bugle v Launceston
Our impressive start to the
season continued with a 156 run victory over visiting Launceston. Electing to bat after skipper Nigel Couchman at last won
the toss, we proceeded to amass a formidable total of 285 for the loss of just 4 wickets.
Once again it was opener Neil
Spencer who led the way with 79 but he was well supported by Nathan Toms (78 not out), Andrew Thomas (52 not out) and Kevin
Spencer (30). A total of 34 extras did little to help the visitors cause.
In response Launceston attempted
from the start to maintain the required run rate but it was never really going to happen. Once their dangerous looking opener
Geoff Garrett was brilliantly stumped by Jake Moore off the bowling of Neil Spencer, wickets started to tumble and it became
obvious that the lower order would not be able to keep things going. Our bowlers once again gave little away and Launceston
were finally dismissed in the 31st over for just 129 runs.
With the result never in doubt
it was time to give the change bowlers a chance to shine and the depth of our attack was demonstrated when Gary Spencer, with
his first spell of the season, returned figures of 3-6. Nathan Toms took 3-17 and both Kevin Spencer and Neil Spencer took
2-27.
Bugle 20 points, Launceston 5 points
*
Ladock v Bugle
We made it three from three
with a comprehensive 116 run victory at Ladock. Despite losing the toss again and being put in to bat we responded well to
post a formidable target of 248-7 in our 48 overs. Neil Spencer posted his best score for the season so far with a well
struck 84 and he was ably supported by Nathan Toms (54), Paul Tucker (20) and Andrew Thomas (42 not out - which included 3
mighty sixes off the last over). The total might have been considerable if it were not for a superb spell of bowling from
Dave Jones who took 3-37 from his allotted overs, whilst Richard Hosken took 3-53.
In response only Ladock opener
Andrew Wakely made any impression against our attack when he batted 31 overs for his undefeated 66. With no other batsman
getting into double figures the home team were dismissed for 128 runs. Nathan Toms bowled well to return figures of 4-27,
Neil Spencer took 3-30 and Paul Gribble 2-28.
Bugle 20 points, Ladock 6 points
*
Bugle v St.Erme
We had
a very satisfying 60 run win over visiting St.Erme. Put in to bat on a soft track we overcame the loss of two early wickets
to post a highly competitive total of 217-8.
Jake
Moore went without scoring, narrowly run out going for a second run having already run four (work that one out!). Fellow opener
Neil Spencer led the way with 47 then the middle order of Nathan Toms (56), Kevin Spencer (39), Paul Gribble (25) and Andrew Thomas (16) continued the good work with Adrian Thomas chipping in with a quick
10 at the end.
Of the
St.Erme bowlers only the veteran Dave Moses had any real success with figures of 5-38.
Despite
an off day in the field with at least five catches going down our bowlers were always in control. Neil Spencer, nursing a
sore shoulder from the previous week could not bowl but in the event was not missed. Two excellent run outs did little to
help St.Erme’s cause and, despite their tail wagging briefly, they were finally dismissed for 157. Both Matt Pearson
and Craig Grubb scored 29, with Dave Moses adding 21. All five bowlers used took wickets with Adrian Thomas taking 3-40 and
Paul Gribble 2-25.
Bugle
20 points, St.Erme 7 points
*
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| Kevin Spencer sets off |
Veryan v Bugle
We made a sound start to the new season with a comprehensive
89 run win at Veryan.
A decidedly dodgy start on an early season
pudding saw us lose our first four wickets with only 20 on the board. However a spirited stand between Nathan Toms
(42) and Kevin Spencer (25) steadied the ship. With Paul Gribble scoring an undefeated 28, the tail wagged and a final total
of 139 was always going to be a reasonable one under the circumstances. For Veryan, Chaffin took 3-17, Rounsavall 3-44 , Moss
2-18 and Dixon 2-30.
And so it proved. The Bugle attack were far too strong
for a Veryan side in the process of rebuilding. With Neil Spencer taking 4-9, Andrew Thomas 3-8 and Nathan Toms 2-13, the
home side were dismissed for just 50 runs with only the evergreen Rob Jobson (17) really troubling the scorers.
Bugle 18 points, Veryan 6 points.
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