Dominant North Devon leading the way in local cricket

North Devon tightened their grip on the Blights Motors North Devon League, with an emphatic 143-run victory over visitors Nomansland.

Roshan Lakmal dominated North Devon’s innings, carrying his bat for a not out score of 206. He faced 127 balls and hit 3 sixes in addition to his 30 fours. There were 2 100+ partnerships, with Navindu Vanderpona scoring 41 and Richard Clarke 48, as the innings closed on 324-2.

INomansland gave it a go. Opener Ed Butterfield (59) and skipper Greg Cole (60) led the visitors to 161-3, however teenage spinner Oscar Meech got to work, taking 4 for 36 and the Witheridge outfit were dismissed for 182.

Heathcoat entertained Belstone at Knighthayes and ran out victors in a tight game by 8 runs. Batting first, Heathcoat racked up an all-out score of 204.Daniel Pugsley top-scored with 49 not out, Jesse- James Albanie helped with 41. Six of the seven Belstone bowlers took wickets.

Matt Dennis led the Foxes’ reply with 81, and there were chip-ins from Calum Mallett (32) and Ryan Dennis (36). However, tight bowling from the eight Heathcoat bowlers saw the Belstone innings close on 196-7.

In Division 2, Barnstaple & Pilton beat Newton Tracey 2nds by 66 runs at Raleigh Meadow. B&P batted first and scored 211-5, thanks mainly to the Chugg boys, Ruben (59) and Dominic (66) not out, plus Jon Jones with 40 not out. Shane Andrew took 3 wickets for Newton.

The visitors’ reply was led by Kieran Soper (39), and skipper and league chairman Graham Moore (30). B&P skipper Jamie Sutton took 3 wickets and there was a couple of wickets each for Matt Newton, and mystery spinner Tony Gilbert, as Newton were dismissed for 145.

Ilfracombe played Exford at Brimlands, and Exford won by 69 runs. The Moorlanders batted first, and reached an all-out score of 231. Opener Sam Price hit a robust 106 and Ranjesh Krishnan contributed 52, both fell victim to Tom Ward, who took 5 for 55 for 'Combe.

The reply was led by Jay Thakur, who hit 77, next highest scorer was extras 23. Paul Jones took 4 for 34 for Exford.

At Westward Ho! Holsworthy beat Victoria Park by 4 wickets. Batting first, the hosts scored 228 all out, thanks in the main to Ian Brown (64) and Jack Ancill (55). Rob Guppy contributed 31 not out from number 11. Oisin O'Kelly took the bowling honours with 4 for 24.

Holsworthy got the runs with 7 overs in hand, thanks mainly to Sam Stacey 98 not out, and 43 from Gavin Cockwill. Mark Slade and David Stanton both took a couple for the Park.