BOVEY Tracey CC skipper Seb Ansley was disappointed but not disheartened by a five-wicket reversal in the A Division curtain-raiser away to Hatherleigh.

Ansley top-scored for Bovey with 97 in a typically rumbustious manner in their 50-over total of 287 all out.

Jake Pascoe (47) and Slade van Staden (78) got Bovey up to 122 for two before Hatherleigh got the brake on through Shrey Ghosh (2-33) and Jasper Presswell (2-58).

Ansley went in at 151 for five, which deteriorated to 172 in a hurry as Charlie Presswell (3-44) struck twice in a rush.

By the time Ansley was ninth out he had hit nine fours and eight sixes from 61 balls faced and put on 101 with Rob Pryke (19).

Hatherleigh knocked off the runs with 11 balls to spare thanks to a massive contribution from Ryan Davies, who made 98 despite batting with a runner for most of his innings.

Davies, who was in the 20s when a thigh injury became obvious, was supplied with former captain Mark Lake as his runner.

By the time Davies was fourth out on 274 with 98 alongside his name, the game was as good as won!

“Ryan batted very well, even on one leg, and with some clean ball striking took it away from us in the middle overs,” said Ansley.

Reflecting on the events of the afternoon, Ansley said: “We were confident we had the attack to defend our total, but didn't quite find the consistency as a unit.

“One or two drops could have made some difference come the end.

“Overall, still some good signs and I was proud of the team to take it down to the last two overs.”

Following this defeat, Bovey 1st XI sit eighth in the A Division on seven points, with Barton and Plympton below them, both of whom are on six points. Hatherleigh on the other hand are second, tied for the lead on 20pts with Cullompton.

Meanwhile, the Bovey 2nd XI sank to a 146-run defeat against newly promoted Ivybridge in the Tolchards DCL B Division.

An opening stand of 116 between skipper Josh Zimmerman (67) and Abraham Kopparambil, who made 66 off 57 balls against his former club, pointed Ivybridge towards a total of 211 all out.

Sam Robbins (3-27) came on as fourth change and had Zimmerman caught behind in his second over.

It was largely odds and sods after that with Harry Solomon (17), Zach Dunn (16) and Tom Worth (18) all chipping in.

A four-wicket haul for Bovey’s overseas import Sam Veal (4-22 off 9) included the prized scalp of Kopparambil.

Bovey were always in trouble after a nightmare start against Arthur Johnson (2-26) and Josh Coker (2-15). Some regrettable shot selection did not help!

Adam Huxtable (4-13) spun through the middle order, which left Farzad Safi (2-10) to do the sweeping up.

Sam Harvey and Joe Forey with a pair of 14s were the only batters to reach double figures in a total of 65 all out.

Bovey 2nd XI are ninth in the B Division after this opening weekend defeat, level on points (six) with eighth-placed Stoke Gabriel. Bideford/Littleham/Westward Ho! are bringing up the rear on two points.

Ivybridge meanwhile are leading the way, matched on a tally of 20 points by Budleigh Salterton and Ipplepen.