North Devon romp return to Premier Division cricket

It has been a spectacular summer of cricket for North Devon CC, as they powered back into the Premier Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League with a dominant A Division campaign.

North Devon suffered just two defeats in their 18-match season, finishing an impressive 40 points above Bridestowe in second place. Plymouth finished third but they will be promoted alongside North Devon due to an ECB ruling on Colts cricket that prevents Bridestowe from playing in the top flight.

North Devon concluded their season with a six-wicket victory at home to Thorverton. Will Popham and Jay Rothery both took three wickets in restricting the visitors to an all-out score of 241.

The target was reached with more than 12 overs to spare and the loss of just four wickets. Roshan Lakmal rattled off an unbeaten 86, Rothery battered an exciting 58 from 36 balls and Theo Valeri chipped in with a fine 46.

Bradninch & Kentisbeare sauntered to the Premier Division title, finishing well clear of Sandford and Exeter in second and third respectively. Bovey Tracey and Plympton are the two clubs dropping down to the A Division in 2025.

In the B Division, Bideford/Littleham/Westward Ho! narrowly missed out on promotion behind the top two of Cullompton and Barton. BLW wrapped up the 2024 campaign with a 40-run win over Clyst St George, Ewan Williams grabbing the plaudits with a superb 133, while Steve Bond ended with bowling figures of 3 for 15.

Braunton CC are champions of C Division East, finishing miles clear of Seaton CC and just eight short of reaching an incredible 300 points. Although the final day resulted in a loss at Ottery St Mary, Braunton have been the dominant side all summer in this division and richly deserve their promotion.

It was a mid-table story for local clubs in D Division East, North Devon 2nds finishing fifth in the table and just one point above Barnstaple & Pilton. Upottery and Bradninch & Kentisbeare 2nds were the promoted duo.

In E Division East, Braunton 2nds made it a sensational club double by winning the title ahead of Cullompton 2nds. Four-wicket hauls for Andy Paddison and Ed Holmes ensured Braunton celebrated their triumph with a final-day win over Honiton.

North Devon dominance of the Devon cricket winner circles extended to Newton Tracey in the F Division East and it all came down to a dramatic final day.

Welcoming leaders Sidbury, Newton started the weekend 11 points behind their visitors and knew that anything less than a comfortable victory would mean missing out on the title.

Batting first, Newton Tracey lost their openers for little score but an accomplished 86 from number three Kieran Soper proved pivotal. Connor Nash added an unbeaten 40 to take their total to a satisfactory 218/5.

It was all down to the bowlers, with Robert and Simon Gear dismissing the Sidbury top order. Nash then took control of the match, ripping his way to four wickets to bowl out the visitors for 182. Maximum points for Newton Tracey and a trophy for the cabinet.

Sadly for North Devon 3rds, they suffered relegation to G Division East, while Bideford/Littleham/Westward Ho! 3rds finished just above the drop zone.

A mammoth 306 points across their 18 fixtures ensured Filleigh cruised to victory in G Division East. Devon Medics & Cranbrook were a distant second, as Filleigh swap places with North Devon 3rds.

In H Division East, Barnstaple & Pilton 2nds finished in fourth, just five points behind runners-up Axminster, while North Molton were third in H Division Central and Filleigh 2nds finished fifth.