Cricket classic in the North Devon League

Current champions of the North Devon Cricket League, Westleigh, beat current leaders Bideford by one run in an exciting match at Merchants Park in Division 1 of the Blight Motors League, writes Patrick McEndoo.

Westleigh batted first and scored 202 for 9, thanks in the main to the Poole boys, Tom 44, and James 30, plus a rapid 67 not out from Richard Wild. Oli Keates was Bideford’s top bowler with 3 for 43, Elliot Curry chipped in with a couple.

Bideford’s reply was led by Fionn Toland's 41, James Greenleaf was next highest with 27. It all came down to the last ball bowled by veteran speedster Richard Pearson to Mark Paul, with Biddy needing three to win.

Paul and Keith Berry managed to run one leg bye, but Paul was easily run out attempting the second! Earlier Tom Poole had taken 3 wickets for Westleigh.

Newton Tracey conceded their game at Nomansland.

Division 2 leaders Hatherleigh entertained Victoria Park and won by 93 runs. Batting first, Hatherleigh scored an all-out total of 225. Shreyansh Ghosh top scored with 74, a relative failure for him!

He got help from Daniel Forrester 42, and Kirt Forgham 35. The Viccy Park skipper used six bowlers, and they all took wickets, although none bettered his 3 for 34.

Jack Ancill led the chase with 47, and along with Jack Sargent,35 and Will Anderson 26, took the visitors to 119 for 3. There then followed a collapse to 132 all out. Fred Batt took the bowling plaudits for Hatherleigh with 3 for 15, and there was a couple each for Ghosh, Cam Rowlands, and Owen Johns.

Braunton took the short trip down the A361 to Ilfracombe and won by 88 runs. Braunton batted first and scored 246 for 7 in their 40 overs. Mark Thomas played the innings of the day, with an unbeaten 121 off 81 balls. He hit 7 sixes in addition to 11 fours. He shared a 117 partnership with Ed Holmes 39.

Skipper Sam Reddick got the innings off to a start with 35. Ki Standley, David Cain, and Dinesh Kankanamange all took a couple for 'Combe. Ilfracombe struggled to a 40-over total of 158 for 7 against tight Braunton bowling, James Hare and A Jones both took a couple.

Nathan Townsend led the chase with 58, the only other significant contribution came from skipper Tom Ward with 36 not out.

Newton Tracey v Exford was a casualty of the weather, while Barnstaple and Pilton were unable to raise a team to play at Holsworthy.