Boundaries galore in North Devon Cricket League

Division 1 saw North Devon made the short trip to Westleigh in the North Devon Cricket League. Westleigh elected to field, and at 12 for 2, with North Devon's overseas player back in the pavilion, it looked like a sound decision.

However, Harry Nicholl changed the game. His 97 came off 61 balls, and included eight fours and seven sixes. He found support from Jimmer Thomas 38, and Ruben Windley, who hit 69 not out off 40 balls, as North Devon were eventually all out for a challenging 264. 

James Starkey was the pick of the Westleigh bowlers, taking 4 for 40. Dick Pearson and skipper Will Speed, chipped in with a couple of wickets each.

Starkey then opened the Westleigh innings, and helped the home side to victory, with one over to spare. He hit 95 off 112 balls, and shared a 150 partnership with Richard Wild, who hit a rapid 94 not out off 84 balls, as the home side prevailed by seven wickets.

The other Division 1 game saw Belstone conceding their game at Bideford, while Newton Tracey v Holsworthy was a washout. 

There was, however, action at Hatherleigh, as their 2nds entertained Barnstaple and Pilton. B&P skipper Clive Ball won the toss and elected to field, and was probably regretting that decision at tea, as a strong Hatherlegh side racked up an impressive 280 for 2. Ball did take both wickets, for 26 runs off his 8 overs.

All the Hatherleigh batters got runs, led by Niall Leahy 98 no, who shared an unbeaten 143 partnership with Greg Solkin 62 no. Earlier, Zak Spears 55 and Rubin Forrester 50 shared an opening partnership of 99.

In reply, Matt Newton gave it a go, hitting a rapid 35, but once he was gone, the rest of the B&P batters took the opportunity to have some practice, as they batted out the overs for a total of 208 for 3.

Jamie Sutton 73 no and Giles Bashford 56 no, shared an unbeaten partnership of 94.  Alan Jones took a couple of wickets for Hatherleigh.

The Cup game, Filleigh v Nomansland, was another washout on a soggy weekend.