HOLDERS Bovey Tracey 3rd XI will be aiming to keep a tight grip on the silverware in the Valeport-sponsored Brockman Cup final when they face Ipplepen 2nd XI at Torquay Recreation Ground on Friday night.

Bovey won the cup in a last-ball finish against Lustleigh in last season’s final and went on to complete the T20 double by claiming the Aaron Printers Cup later in the season.

Bovey Tracey’s return trip to the final began with an eight-wicket win over South Devon, in which Sam Russell scored 53 not out chasing 123 to win.

Barton 2nd XI were crushed by 74 runs in round two when Harry Mount scored 105 not out from just 64 balls faced in a whopping total of 188 for four.

Three wickets each for Rory Wolfe (3-22) and Josh Hill (3-30) sealed a 30-run win over Torquay 2nd XI in the last four.

Ipplepen last won the competition in 2020 when they overcame Lustleigh by eight wickets thanks to Andy Maynard’s 57 not out during the chase to 120 to win.

Ipplepen opened their 2023 campaign with a 16-run win over Chelston & Kingskerswell, in which opener George Tapley batted through for 89 not out in a total of 149 for four.

Teignmouth & Shaldon were swept aside by six wickets despite scoring 198 for seven in the second round.

Ipplepen’s place in the final was booked by a 26-run victory over Stoke Gabriel in the last four.

Toby Holroyd, a 15-year-old pupil at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, belted 100 not out off 57 balls in Pens’ total of 169 for five. Stoke were held to 143 for seven in reply. Aged 15 years and 241 days at the time, Holroyd is one of the youngest playesr to score a hundred in the Brockman Cup.

Start time at the Recreation Ground is 6pm and admission to the game is free.