Veterans and juniors in North Devon cricket

Captain Steve Moore took a young North Devon side to Hatherleigh in Division One of the Blights Motors North Devon Cricket League and suffered a 177-run defeat.

Hatherleigh batted first, and they quickly raced to 170 for 2, thanks to the efforts of skipper Adam Quick (72), Henry D'alberti Nicholson (45) and Charlie Presswell (41).

North Devon's fightback was led by Roshan Lakmal, who took 3 for 34 off his 8 overs, and he got support from 13 year-old Freddie Bettiss with 2 for 32, pegging the home side back to 202 for 6. Cameron Rowlands (40no) and Emerson Wood (33) then took Hatherleigh to a total of 275 for 8.

North Devon's reply was led by the press-ganged father and former county player Neil Bettiss, who rolled back the years with a run-a-ball 33. However, apart from Lakmal with 19, no other batter got above 10, as they capitulated to an all-out total of 98 

Oscar Moore was the star bowler for Hatherleigh with remarkable figures of 6 for 9 off just 35 balls.

In Division 2, Holsworthy travelled to Barnstaple & Pilton, and it was the home side that prevailed by 4 wickets. Holsworthy batted first and scored 166 for 8 in their reduced 35 overs.

Jack Greening top scored with 56, and there were chip-ins from Sam Stacey (39no), and Daniel Lucas (23). Matt Jarvis, William Simpson and veteran mystery spinner Tony Gilbert all took a couple of wickets for B&P.

The home side’s chase got off to the worst possible start, as opener Finn Tapp was bowled by Adam Lovejoy with the first ball of the innings. This, however, was as good as it got for Holsworthy.

Barum number three Matt Newton took the game away from them, with a rapid 91. He hit 16 fours in his 52-ball innings until he was run out by Greening with the score at 127. Jamie Sutton 24 saw B&P home, with six overs in hand. Lovejoy ended up with figures of 3 for 49, and there were a couple for Ian Mill.