ROB Bradshaw-Smith starts his next game with a chance of a rare feat – a hat-trick spread over three overs – after playing a key role in Ottery St Mary 2nd XI’s 89-run victory over Sidmouth 3rd XI, writes John Goodwin.
Bradshaw-Smith boosted Ottery’s innings with an unbeaten 53 in 23 balls and then finished off the Sidmouth reply with the ninth wicket off the final ball of one over and the 10th off the first ball of his next over.
Sidmouth had crumpled to 127 all out from a position where they were well placed at 103-4 for a draw. Keith Biggs, with 4-22, and Bradshaw-Smith, with 2-21, were the architects of their downfall.
Biggs precipitated the collapse with a sharp caught-and-bowled to dismiss Graham Munday for 32. Harvey Sargent batted heroically for 17 in a bid to stave off defeat and, earlier in the innings, Rob Fowler struck 34 and late call-up Mike Dibble made 19.
After Lee Clayden and George House had removed Ottery’s openers with caught and bowleds, Alex Thurgate, with 34, and Matt Reed, with 68, put together a stand of 78.
With Munday taking four wickets for 30 in eight overs, Sidmouth looked capable of restricting Ottery to something in the region of 175 until Bradshaw-Smith took command and made a mess of his figures and those of Toby Seldon. His 29-minute innings included two fours and five sixes, three in consecutive balls from Munday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here