Rain stops play in Devon cricket, but not North Devon

As sure as night follows day, there was always going to be a rain-disrupted Tolchards Devon Cricket League day before too long. The first Saturday in June was it.

The forecasted thundery showers came later than predicted but arrive they did and deposited enough to stop most games from starting or terminating early nearly all that did. Just four games in total across the county played to a finish.

In the Premier Division, high-flying Paignton were only able to witness the Instow cloudbursts, but there was good news later in the day.

The only Premier game to see play was at Mount Wise between Plymouth and Bradninch & Kentisbeare. As the weather cleared up in West Devon, the match was reduced to a twenty over contest, which Plymouth won. The visitors all out for 80 chasing 144 to win.

With Paignton’s eight points for the abandonment at North Devon, and Bradninch only claiming four, the teams flip-flopped at the top of the table. Paignton now lead by three points and, in doing so, are the last remaining unbeaten team. The timing could not be better as the two face-off at Queen’s Park on Saturday.

In Division One of the Blights Motors North Devon Cricket League, North Devon sent a young team to Nomansland, and it was the Witheridge side that won a low-scoring affair by one wicket, writes Patrick McEndoo.

North Devon were invited to bat, and were quickly reduced to 14 for 7, thanks to the bowling skills of Elliot Cole, who took 4 for 2 in five overs. North Devon skipper James Tyson led the recovery by scoring 42, he found support from Freddie Horrocks, who contributed nine and that, with 13 extras, saw the visitors reach an all-out total of 72. Jacob Cole took 2 for 4 at the end of the innings.

The North Devon youngsters bowled superbly in the conditions, Jools Hughes led the attack, taking 4 for 13. Nik O took 2 for 16, and Oscar Meech 2 for 25.

At one stage, Nomansland were 3 for 0. Opener William Martin made 12 and there was a minor recovery led by Greg Cole 13, Jacob Cole 11. However, at 49 for 9, the visitors were favourites. Ashley Wreford and Nick Guscott, both scored 10 not out, to score 24 for the last wicket, and see the home side to victory.

Westleigh played Bideford at Merchants Park, and were beaten by a margin of 99 runs. Bideford batted first, and father and son James Ford (39) Jack (82) shared an 158-run partnership that helped take Bideford to an all-out total of 237 - 45 extras helped the cause. Ian Wheatley 3 for 39, and Richard Pearson 3 for 41, were the pick of the Westleigh bowlers.

Braunton’s overseas player, Kyle Faber, is ineligible to play for his host club in the NDL, so turned out for Westleigh. He led the chase with 49, 32 extras, James Poole (23) and Steffan James (20) were the only other scorers of note, as the home side were dismissed for 138. Jack Ford capped a man of the match performance with 4 for 7, Oliver Keats chipped in with 3 for 11.

Over at Westward Ho! Victoria Park entertained Barnstaple & Pilton in Division Two, and it was Viccy Park who won by 96 runs.

The Park scored a 40-over total of 242 for 9, thanks in the main to opener Ian Brown, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 98, and 94 from Jack Ancill. Zack Newman 4 for 28, and Will Simpson 2 for 44 led the bowling for B&P.

B&Ps reply appeared to lack urgency. Matt Newton hit 60 in an opening partnership of 84 with Jamie Sutton, who hit a patient unbeaten 55, as the reply petered out to a 40-over total of 146 for 3. Blake Shapland took 2 for 30 for the home side

Exford travelled to Newton Tracey and won by three wickets. Newton batted first and racked up 155 all out in 33 overs. The Robson twins, Dominic (50) and Connor (3) were the main run-getters. Extras contributed 24. and Dhavlkumar Patel scored 23. Renjeesh Krishnan grabbed the bowling honours by taking 6 for 16, his opening partner Max Watts took 3 for 31.

Newton’s Domi Moore reduced Exford to 58 for 5, by taking 4 for 30, but it was that man Krishnan who hit a rapid 35 to change the game. It was then down to J Sylvester 36 not out, and skipper Will Lock 13 not out to see the visitors to victory.