Rain halts North Devon march to Premier Division promotion

After week eleven of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League, Bradninch and Kentisbeare still lead the Premier Division, by nine points from Sandford, after both teams won again. Up to third are Exmouth following a 38-run win over Paignton at The Maer.

Isolated heavy showers randomly hit parts of the county, some locations affected more than others. Two Mile Oak was one that did not escape, with only 25 overs possible between Abbotskerswell and A Division leaders North Devon.

Josh Atkinson took two wickets for North Devon, who had the Abbots struggling on 69/4 when the rain arrived. Despite the abandonment, North Devon remain three points ahead of Bridestowe in second. Plymouth and Torquay & Kingskerswell are just a few points further back in an extremely tight division. North Devon host Plymouth on Saturday.

Bideford/Littleham/Westward Ho! are fifth in the B Division after a seven-wicket loss to Cullompton. Captain Tom Brend (86) top-scored for the home side but they were all out for 201 and Cullompton reached their target within 36 overs. This weekend takes the North Devon outfit to bottom club Chudleigh.

Braunton remain top of C Division East following a six-wicket victory over Seaton but face a crunch game this weekend, as they travel to second-placed Alphington and Countess Wear.

The duo of Barnstaple & Pilton and North Devon 2nds are locked in mid-table in D Division East. James Poole struck a wonderful 162 not out for B&P in their 119-run victory at Thorverton 2nds, backed up by James Roe (108) and Jimmer Thomas (63 no). Thomas then took 3 for 40 with the ball.

North Devon 2nds enjoyed a much narrower win over Ottery St Mary 2nds. Regina Lilii hit an unbeaten 56 for North Devon but the bowlers were the real stars of the day, Navindu V (4 for 34) and Oscar Meech (3 for 46) ripping through the Ottery line-up.

The top two teams in the Blights Motors North Devon League clashed at Instow, as North Devon entertained Bideford, and it was Bideford that ran out victors by give wickets to go top of the pile.

North Devon batted first and reached a 40-over score of 258 for 6. Roshan Lakmal got the innings off to a brisk start with 63 and James Tyson contributed a robust 97 not out. Elliot Curry, and Ewan Wiliams both took a couple for Bideford.

North Devon employed eight bowlers to restrain the Bideford chase, and it seemed a successful tactic, until Ewan Williams came to the crease. He hit 96 not out off 50 balls to see his side home with nine balls to spare. Earlier, James Ford (37) and James Greenleaf (43) contributed to the cause. Simon Wright took a couple for North Devon.

Heathcoat travelled to Belstone and ran out comfortable eight-wicket winners. Belstone got off to a good start, as Ryan Dennis (73) and James Ewan led the Foxes to 118 for 1. Thereafter, Heathcoat took the last nine wickets for 45 runs for an all-out total of 163, thanks to Christopher Salter 4 for 38, and Troy Dos Santos 3 for 10. Heathcoat knocked off the runs with ease, for the loss of two wickets. Ace reporter Harry Everett led from the front with 41, Noah Musikanth 60 not out, and Richard Pugsley 52 not out, finished off the job with 13 overs to spare.

Newton Tracey conceded their game at Westleigh.

In Division 2, Exford travelled to Braunton and won a tight game by six runs. Exford batted first and scored 187 for 8. There were runs through the card for the Moorlanders, although none bettered the 36 extras Braunton conceded.

Andrew Norman led the Braunton chase with 51, but the home side were reduced to 137 for 9, thanks in the main to Renjeesh Krishnan taking 4 for 28. Last wicket pair Martin Biddle 18 and James Hare 32 not out took the home side to the brink of an unlikely victory, but their hopes were dashed when Biddle was bowled by Ryan Jones.

Ten-man Barnstaple & Pilton took the short trip to Newton Tracey and lost by seven wickets. B&P batted first and racked up an all-out total of 220. Father and son James Tapp 51 and Finn 35 got the innings off to a good start, Amandip Panesar top scored with 52. Connor Robson took a couple for Newton, while three run outs helped the cause.

An unbeaten 163 partnership between Kieran Soper (101 no) and Alexander Cox (75 no) saw the home side to victory with ease. B&P Skipper Clive Ball did his best, taking 1 for 10 off his eight overs but B&P clearly missed mystery spinner Tony Gilbert.