Tough start persists for North Devon CC

Life in the Premier Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League is proving a tough examination for North Devon CC, as they slumped to a third straight defeat at the start of the season.

Travelling to unbeaten Exeter was always going to be a difficult examination for North Devon, who won the toss and elected to field in the first innings. Sri Lankan all-rounder Roshan Lakmal took 2-37 but Exeter still accumulated a handy 288-8 in their allotted overs.

North Devon battled gamely to reach the target, with Jay Rothery (52), Fred King (44) and Tom Popham all contributing with the bat, but they still fell 87 runs short against an impressive Exeter attack.

North Devon are at home to Sidmouth this weekend and might need to extend the boundaries a tad, with the East Devon club arriving full of batting confidence after accumulating a daunting 330-6 total in their comfortable victory over bottom club Heathcoat.

Along with Exeter, Paignton and Bradninch & Kentisbeare maintained their 100% records in the top flight. Luke Medlock struck a fine unbeaten 112, as Paignton chased down Exmouth’s target of 280 to record a four-wicket victory, while B&K had three wickets to spare in their triumph at Sandford. In the other top-flight encounter, Plymouth beat Cornwood by 12 runs in a low-scoring affair.

Barnstaple & Pilton’s Matt Newton earned the moniker Roy Castle, by becoming a record breaker as he propelled his team to a 163-run victory over Lynton & Lynmouth at Raleigh Meadow in Division 2 of the Blights Motors North Devon League.

B&P batted first, and scored 317 for 6, mainly thanks to Newton’s 203. He faced 109 balls and scored 162 in boundaries, bludgeoning 33 fours and 5 sixes. His innings was the highest for his club, and the highest at the ground. He got support from Jamie Sutton 50, with whom he shared a 222-run partnership for the 5th wicket. 

The Lynton bowlers struggled against the onslaught, but there were a couple for skipper Andy Keach and Harvey Jones. Their chase was led by David Brierley 41 and Tristan Jones 34, as they capitulated to 154 all out. Veteran mystery spinner Tony Gilbert was the architect of their demise, taking 4 for 17, William Simpson helped with 3 for 22

The other Division 2 game was at Newton Tracey, who defeated Victoria Park by 41 runs.

Batting first, Newton scored 195 all out. Kieran Soper top scored with 73, and there were chip-ins from the Robson twins, Connor 40 and Dominic 26.  Adrian Scarrat grabbed the bowling plaudits, taking 5 for 36.

The Robson boys decimated the Viccy Park reply, both taking four wickets, Dominic for 18 and Connor for 30, as they were bustled out for 154. Rob Boundy top scored with 35, Jack Ancill helped with 34.

In Division 1, Bridestowe & Belstone defeated visitors Bideford by 109 runs, thanks to another massive innings on the day by a number three batsman.

B&B’s Shaquan Glasgow hit 179 no, he faced 109 balls and hit  20 fours and 12 sixes, next highest was extras with 47, skipper Richard Drake weighed in with 31, as they amassed 311 for 8, this despite the bowling effort of Bideford’s Elliot Curry, who took 5 for 33.

In reply, Bideford were dismissed for 202, Martin Stewart top scored with 45, veteran James Ford was next best with 28. Andy King was the pick of the eight bowlers used by B&B, taking 4 for 31.