BOVEY Tracey CC 2nd XI will be gunning for a sixth successive win this summer in the 75th anniversary edition of the Aaron Printers Narracott Cup.

Dan Green’s side have carried off the silverware every season since 2001, when their current run commenced with an 11-run win over Paignton 2nd XI at South Devon CC.

No club had won the competition five years in a row before, until Bovey defeated Ashburton in last season’s final.

Tens final wins by Bovey since 2007, when Dartington & Totnes were vanquished, is impressive. But Bovey still have some way to go for the all-time record.

Paignton 2nd XI clocked-up 11 wins between 1952 and 2019, when they also defeated Dartington & Totnes. Future England cricketer Chris Read was man of the match the Paignton team that won the 1994 final.

Pride of place at the top of the roll of honour goes to Barton CC. The first of their 12 victories was back in 1951 when they were inaugural winners over Torquay Co-op CC.

Green said there is no real secret to Bovey Tracey’s success in the competition.

“We are fortunate to have a depth of good Twenty20 players, who enjoy the format,” said Green.

Bovey Tracey begin the defence of the cup with a home game against Barton on Thursday, May 21.

To mark the 75th anniversary of what started off as the J V Narracott Cup, competition organisers are planning an old boys’ re-union at this season’s final.

Conrad Sutcliffe, who has been involved with the competition as secretary and latterly chairman since 1999, is keen to round-up former captains and men-of-the-match for a buffet supper on the night of the final.

As memorabilia from early finals is thin on the ground, and the competition records were ‘lost’ in the 1990s, Sutcliffe would love to see any old scrapbooks, newspaper clippings or photo albums and mementos to copy for the competition archive.

“The competition was unique when it started as it was played as a league competition when league cricket was virtually unheard of in Devon,” said Sutcliffe.

“Originally, there were two divisions – South and North, I think – and the top teams played off in a final at Torquay.

“Playing in the Narracott Cup final back in the 1950s and 60s was a big deal for any cricketer. Winning it would have been the highlight of their career for many of them.

“Sadly, what records we had were lost when a former cup secretary took them with him when he moved away, and didn’t leave a forwarding address!

“If there is anyone out there with memories of the early days – sons or daughters of players or competition officials perhaps? – I would love to hear from them to fill in some of the blanks.”

Contact Sutcliffe by email at [email protected]

Aaron Printers Cup Draw – 2026

First round: South Devon v Brixham, Abbotskerswell v Torquay & Kingskerswell (Thursday, May 7), Teignmouth & Shaldon v Stoke Gabriel (Thursday, May 14), Bovey Tracey v Barton (Thursday, May 21).

Byes: Ashburton, Babbacombe, Ipplepen, Paignton.

Second round: Teignmouth & Shaldon or Stoke Gabriel v Paignton, Ashburton v South Devon or Brixham (Thursday, May 28); Ipplepen v Abbotskerswell or Torquay & Kingskerswell, Bovey Tracey v Babbacombe (Thursday, June 4),

Semi-finals: Teignmouth & Shaldon or Stoke Gabriel or Paignton v Ashburton or South Devon or Brixham (Thursday, June 11); Ipplepen or Abbotskerswell or Torquay & Kingskerswell v Bovey Tracey or Babbacombe (June 18).

Final: Bovey Tracey CC. Date to be confirmed.