Half-term report from the Devon Cricket League

The halfway-point in the Tolchards Devon Cricket League usually gives a good indication of how the season will finish.

In the Premier Division, both Sandford and Bradninch and Kentisbeare won again and are clear at the top. Plympton and Bovey Tracey both lost again and are cast adrift at the bottom.

North Devon are still in command of the A Division. A 7-wicket win at Thorverton was their seventh of the campaign. Back up to second are Torquay and Kingskerswell following a second-straight 9-wicket win.

Barton continue to head the B Division after a solid all-round 148-run defeat of Budleigh Salterton at Cricketfield Road. Tarisai Musakanda passed 500 league runs with his 93 in Barton’s 271-7. Nick Watkin, enjoying being back at the club where he started, chipped in with 81, then took 5-32 in Budleigh’s 123 all out.

Braunton hold a ten-point lead in C Division East after just two defeats from their nine games, with Heathcoat 2nds propping up the table. Paignton 2nds and Ivybridge have a healthy cushion at the top of C Division West.

Upottery hold a three-point lead over Shobrooke Park in a tight D Division East, while Plymstock 2nds are the top side in D Division West. Braunton 2nds are just 11 points behind Cullompton 2nds in E Division East and unbeaten Chagford are the dominant force in E Division East, holding a 25-point lead over Torquay and Kingskerwell 2nds.

North Devon 3rds are still seeking their first victory in an F Division East division led by Sidbury, while Bovey Tracey 3rds lead Cornwood 3rds in F Division West. Filleigh are top of G Division East and Plymouth CS & Roborough lead the West.

Topsham St James 2nds have a narrow lead over Kenn 2nds in H Division Central, with Barnstaple & Pilton 2nds top of the East and Chagford 2nds winning the West.

It's tight at the top of the Blights Motors North Devon league, as Bideford’s 58-run victory at Nomansland saw them leapfrog North Devon to the top of the league. They're separated by two points.

Batting first, Bideford scored 238 for 7. Jim Keates top scored with 66, and there was support from Jack Ford 47, and James Greenleaf 43. Marcus Buller chipped in with a quickfire 30.

Thomas Murphy was the home side’s most successful bowler with a stout couple of wickets. It was another Keates that took the bowling plaudits for Bideford, Oliver taking 3 for 44, as Nomansland were dismissed for 180. Elliot Curry and Damon Berry chipped in with a couple of wickets each. Jacob Cole top scored for Nomansland with 34, the next highest was Extras with 33.

Hatherleigh maintained their 100% record in Division Two, with a comfortable 8-wicket home victory over Lynton & Lynmouth. The visitors batted first, skipper Andy Keach led from the front with 45, and got help from Dan Godfrey 25, it was left to Jeremy Bingham 21 and veteran Nick Constable 20 not out to police the tail, to reach an all-out total of 155.

Two run outs and a couple of wickets each for Ryan Quick and Cam Rowlands did the damage for Hatherleigh. It was Rowlands who led the chase with 66 not out, sharing a 100-partnership with Oscar Moore 53. Hayden Sharp sealed the victory with an 11-ball 26.

Holsworthy entertained Ilfracombe at Stanhope Park and the fixture produced one of those cricketing rarities, a tied game. 10 man Ilfracombe batted first, and scored an all-out total of 166, thanks in the main to opener Graham Garner 71, the next highest was 35 extras.

Skipper Ryan Seymour Smith took 3 for 38, and there was a couple each for Adam Lovejoy and Nick Ward. Holsworthy opener Jack Greening led the chase with a run-a-ball 77. Once he was out, Seymour Smith 19 helped Holsworthy to parity, Garner, 3 for 35, Forhad Miah 3 for 43, and Sam Chowdhury 3 for 51 did the damage with the ball, and it was Chowdhury who took the final wicket to tie the game with 10 overs left.

Braunton easily beat Barnstaple & Pilton by 9 wickets at the Kelsey ground. B&P batted first and scored 206 for 8 in their 40 overs. Runs were shared around, Dom Chugg 39 not out top scored for the visitors. Skipper Andrew Norman took the bowling honours with 3 for 36.

Norman then carried on his form from last week, and his bat with an unbeaten 117. He shared a 94-partnership with Charlie Tucker 29 and an unbeaten 103-partnership with Sam Reddick 50 not out. Mystery spinner Tony Gilbert was B&Ps only successful bowler

Newton Tracey 2nds travelled to Westward Ho! to face Victoria Park, and it was the home side that won by 7 wickets.

Newton Batted first and scored 200 for 9. Oliver Symons 52, Graham Parson 41, and Connor Robson 30 being the main contributors. Evan Suggate, Tom Anderson and Ian Brown all took a couple for the Park.

Skipper Brown then led the chase with an unbeaten 109, 88 of which came in boundaries, as Viccy Park ran out comfortable winners. He found support from Anderson 23 and Lee Merrick 26 not out.