from the boundary
News from Legendary statistician, Nicholas Evanson
STILL TIME TO REGISTER
As the Mental Health Champion for T&K just a reminder of the Opening Up Cricket Mental Wellbeing Webinar – Devon 2025, is this coming Tuesday at 7pm. It isn’t too late to register and the link is:
Having recently listened to a similar webinar run by the ACO. I can highly recommend spending 90 minutes listening to the webinar – whether you are struggling yourself and / or want to help others. I make no secret now that I am in the “and” category and sadly there has been too many from the Devon cricket “family” who struggled until it was too late.
MATCH REPORT
T&K took a Friendly XI just into the South Hams under the leadership of Mike Etherington to take on a Friendly XI from Stoke Gabriel – note to the captains, please inform the scorers and the sole umpire of any changes to match regulations otherwise they get very grumpy!
The toss was uncontested and T&K batted first. Bobby Western and Harry Passenger were soon back in the pavilion thanks to the bowling of Harriett Duke not that Evo wants to make too much of it! Josh Thompson and Harry Baxendale both subsequently retired not out on 52 and 50, Mike Etherington also just run out of overs and was 48 not out at the end. Ms Duke was the best of the bowlers with 2 for 8 of her 4 overs – Chris Harrison also finished with 2 for 38. T&K finished on 217 for in their 45 overs! A big thank you must go to Steve Waters for leading by example, Bobby Western again and Matt McCann for sharing the square leg umpire duties with Ian Western who should get special thanks for doing both ends. There was a long spell of Western and Western umpiring together – has young Bobby got the bug!
Stoke Gabriel got off to a reasonable start reaching 66 before losing their first wicket. Although at one stage there was nearly drone stop play as although he should have been fielding, Matt McCann wanted to play with his new toy. However, with it grounded, the spinning trio of Harry Baxendale, Bobby Western and Matt McCann himself then dismantled Stoke Gabriel with 6 for 19, 3 for 33 and 1 for 4 respectively – Stoke Gabriel were all out for Nelson in just 37.5 overs. The best of their batters was Isaac Whittington with 41.
On the spectator front only Gordon Avery ventured out the Bay to a new ground for him just like it was for Evo. That saying, Phil Sturman was again in attendance so he is up to speed for scoring for the 2nd XI next weekend.
One note of caution from the Keeper of the Balls aka Evo. With only one match having used pink balls pre-season, unless there is a serious amount of work done the 1st XI mightn’t be compliant in terms of spares come 1st June. To negate the risk as far as possible, controlled knocking in will be essential. Therefore co-operation from players will be absolutely essential!
With Pre-Season out the way the serious stuff starts. The 1st XI away to Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI, the 2nd XI home to Chagford CC 1st XI and the 3rd XI away to Exwick CC 2nd XI. The newly formed 4th XI have their blank weekend first up.
However, before the opening Saturday of the league season, there is the club’s Opening Night this Friday with at least two representatives of another local sports club which Evo has forged links with from all accounts a representative of another organisation might also be present.
BOWLS AND CRICKET - ALL IN A DAY!
Why don’t you try a new sport at a Kings Bowls Club who we are trying to form a link with
BEFORE
watching Torquay and Kingskerswell CC 2nd XI v Chagford CC 1st XI!
MATCH REPORT - START OF THE PINK REVOLUTION!
The cricket season starts and surprise surprise the rain gods weren’t being kind. However, Ipplepen and T&K weren’t going to be defeated in what was going to be an interesting match in terms of adapting the match regulations – 30 overs per side with 15 overs using a pink ball and 15 overs using a red ball.
Ipplepen won the toss and not unsurprisingly asked T&K to have a bat. First up was the ball. Tim Western and Chris Kelmere resumed their opening partnership from last season – Kelmere becoming the first victim of Ipplepen’s overseas player, Aiden Phillips for 16 with Western playing his usual anchor role finally falling for 28, the 5th batter out. The match was turned in its head after the 15th over when the ball was changed to a red one – T&K were 76 for 3 but then lost 7 wickets for just 18 runs in 8.5 overs, Phillips at one stage was on a hat trick finishing with 5 for 15 off his 6 overs. One wicket of note was that of Harry Baxendale caught by his cousin Joe Parker off the bowling of Jono Colegate, both formerly of this parish for 4. T&K committed the cardinal sin, on the day of the Pope’s funeral, of not batting out their overs – all out for 94 in just 23.5 overs. Special mention must be made though, of Faiz Ebrahim, Bobby Western (with one proud grandad looking on), Josh Thompson, Ritesh Dabhade and leading by example Harry Passenger for sharing square leg umpire duties – the lack of club umpires must be a concern.
Ipplepen got off to a fast start before T&K debutant, Josh Thompson, formerly of Ipplepen parish removed both openers including Torquay old boy, Matt Beasant who now skippers Ipplepen for 2. Two other Torquay old boys, Jono Colegate and Reuben Stanley then steadied the ship scoring 25 and 15 respectively. Just for a moment the run chase got interesting but an undefeated run a ball 15 by Aiden Phillips saw Ipplepen over the line by 3 wickets with 7.4 overs remaining. The best of the T&K bowlers were Harry Passenger with 2 for 6 and Josh Thompson with 2 for 11. How not batting their overs out came back to haunt T&K.
One consolation, two decent spare pink balls, and Evo might just have a cunning plan (yes he is a fan of Blackadder) to get two more before next Saturday. However, for 2026, serious consideration must be made if T&K play a side from the B Division as some mightn’t be as helpful as Ipplepen when it comes to the pink / red ball issue.
Next up for the 1st XI is a trip next weekend to take on Bridestowe and Belstone CC 1st XI in the DCL – another club who could only progress by amalgamating. Before that though, under the leadership of Mike Etherington, a Friendly XI take on Stoke Gabriel’s Friendly XI and for one Sunday only, Evo will be scoring so he can tick off another ground in Devon he has scored on so still more grounds then his age!
On the spectator front it just didn’t seem right with Pop Latto not being present. One can only hope Pop was looking down from on high and enjoyed what was a close encounter. Those who were actually present though included the grandee’s of Camp Kelmere who as a result of a communications failure hadn’t been informed of the new start time and arrived 3 hours early, the chair of the club Steve Waters and past president Ian Western. Phil Sturman was also warming up for yet another season in the scorebox. It would be wrong though not to make mention of three players from the Glory Years of the mid 1990s who were present, Marcus Green, Mike Pugh and Steve Short who is rumoured to be making a comeback for Ipplepen CC 4th XI this season so he can play alongside his daughter, Flo.
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!
Torquay and Kingskerswell return to action in little over 24 hours with the 1st XI away to Ipplepen - start time 13:00. This is quickly followed by a trip to Stoke Gabriel for the Friendly XI - start time 12:30. Both start times though are approximate.
SUPPORT LIMBPOWER
The inspirational, Chris Linnitt of Teignmouth and Shaldon CC (dad of Seb who plays for Exeter CC), this weekend is running the London Marathon. If there is ever a case of what you can do not what you can’t do, it is Chris, an above the knee amputee, whose exploits climbing mountains are legendary. His inspirational talks are rather good as well – if the club ever wants one then I am sure Evo can arrange it. According to Evo, “you will simply be amazed.” However. If anyone wants to sponsor Chris for this weekend, the link is:
Good Luck Chris from all at Torquay and Kingskerswell CC
two new signings confirmed and another two registrations imminent!
The club are pleased to announce the signing of Oscar Lovell a tall fast bowling all-rounder from Teignmouth and Shaldon CC who previously played for Exeter CC. Oscar who played age group cricket with Hazza has shown commitment to the club as he will be travelling down from Exeter to play. The club are also pleased to announce the return to the club of seam bowling all-rounder, Mustavi Emdad, after a season with Topsham St James. Both players will strengthen the 1st / 2nd XI squads. Another registration is pending, a player who has netted for a while and now wants to try his luck out in the middle. A further registration that of a 2nd generation player, will be actioned on Sunday.
Welcome Oscar and Welcome Back Mustavi
you wait for one bus and two come along at the same Time!
Two new signings will hopefully be announced by the end of the week, paperwork permitting - one a player returning to his spiritual home while the other a completely new player to the club.
the rec tonight - thank you to the tics
If you can’t make the Pre-Season Match @ Ipplepen. There is a rumour that Ben Passenger and Tom Drake formerly of this parish are going to be trying it!
NOW FOR A GOOD NEWS STORY!
After the drama of the last 24 hours let’s have a good news story. Ethan Kulkarni is getting on his bike for the FORCE charity with his best mate Danny (no not little brother) for a 100 mile ride on 29 June 2025. The link to their fund raising page is:
UNWANTED VISITORS
The committee have regrettably have to inform members that members of the travelling community have forced entry to the Rec and have set up camp. In conjunction with the Rugby Club the appropriate action is being taken to expedite their removal and to limit disruption to pre-season preparation and any damage / losses.
The committee requests that no member puts themselves in danger by trying to tackle them and / or takes the law into their own hands. However, if any criminal activity can be noted safely please inform the police immediately.
More news on this unwanted story as it unfolds.
WESTERN IN ACTION FOR ENGLAND’S OVER 50 xi
After all the rain the weather gods were kind today when England Over 50s took on the MCC at Stourport-on-Seven. Opening the batting for the O50s was a certain Tim Western who was run out for 30. His opening partner was Kevin Parsons who spent nearly a decade on the playing staff at Somerset CCC alongside twin brother Keith both of whom as youngsters would come down with Taunton St Andrews CC when there was still Sunday cricket. Chasing only 149, the O50s won easily by 7 wickets.
CLUB OPENING NIGHT
The committee are pleased to confirm the Opening Night will be on Friday 2 May - time TBC. This will be the first of several Social Functions this season - more details to follow.
FEET UP FOR HAZZA
Sadly Hazza was unable to showcase his talents to Devon today - the rain earlier in Easter meant no play was possible in the inter-squad match at Exeter today,
it is fantasy time!
The Club is pleased to announce the launch of its own Fantasy Cricket league thanks to the hard work of Ollie Smith. It is only £5 to enter with the winner receiving 50% of the entry fees. For those who would like to enter the link is:
https://tkcc.fantasyclubcricket.co.uk/
Is the chair, Steve Waters worth £4m? (Well I guess solicitors are wealthy people!) Is Luke Glasson worth £5.8m? (Think that works out as £500k for each ball retrieved from the hedge last season!) Is Matt McCann undervalued at £4.5m? Can you afford Chris Kelmere or Nathan Roux at £8.5m? Is Towkir Chowdhury good value at £7m? Is young Seb Rossin worth a punt at just £2.5m? Sadly Evo, isn’t giving any hints about his XI!
Good Luck Everyone
PARTNERSHIP WITH HOLLACOMBE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE
The committee are pleased to announce the club is forming a partnership with Hollacombe Community Resource Centre. As Evo the club’s EDI Officer said, “it isn’t what we can’t offer but what we can just like their client’s, it isn’t what they can’t do but what they can do.” Evo went onto say, “the Community Resource Worker was just so pleased the club had reached out to the centre.” Evo is already working on a few potential collaborations and all he asks that members get behind him and support him. More news on the plans as we have them.