BOVEY Tracey had last pair Pete Bradley and Ben Holmes to thank for saving them from total embarrassment in the Premier Division match against Exmouth.

It was bad enough going down to a crushing 133-run defeat against Exmouth, but it could have been even worse.

Bovey, chasing a modest 185 to win on the Recreation Ground, collapsed to 18 for nine in reply.

George Greenway (6-18), the newly appointed captain of the England Deaf XI, had six of the wickets to fall and Alvin Pollard (3-4) bagged the remainder.

Bradley and Holmes embarked on a face-saving exercise that got Bovey up to 51 all out before Ollie Dawe accounted for Bradley.

Fin Marks, the Exmouth skipper, said Greenway’s performance underlined his quality as a bowler.

“George demonstrated that, on his day, he can be the best seamer in the Premier Division,” said Marks. “And Alvin, the veteran, showed that he has still got it!”

Opener James Horler made a patient top score of 43 for Exmouth, helping them reach 130 for six. Louis Morison had been in and out for 29 by then.

Brendan Streather’s 41 not out from 43 balls kept Exmouth afloat after they lost four wickets for 16 runs, starting with Horler. Streather was still there in the final total of 184 all out.

“James Horler held the innings together – and Brendan batted well at the end to get us to a decent score on that pitch and outfield,” said Marks.

Musa Twala (3-47) was among the wickets when Exmouth stumbled. There were two wickets each for Hugo Whitlock, Bradley and Holmes.

Toby Codd, the Bovey Tracey captain, summed-up the carnage by simply saying: “Obviously, not our day at all. Hats off to Exmouth and their opening bowlers. They were superb.”

“It felt fairly even at halfway, but we just had one of those days with the bat. We won't dwell on it hugely and come back together this week.”

It’s unbeaten Premier leaders Sandford at home this Saturday, which will present a whole new set of challenges.