The wait is finally over for North Devon CC

It has taken nine weeks and some rough Saturdays in the early summer sunshine but North Devon CC now have their first Premier Division victory in the Tolchards Devon Cricket League.

Travelling to Sandford, North Devon made a blistering start with the ball, reducing their hosts to 13/3 with Josh Atkinson taking two of the early wickets and Jack Popham the other. Lawrence Walker 36 and Aryan Lakra 35 steadied the Sandford ship before they were both dismissed by Roshan Lakmal.

Sandford were in serious trouble on 100/6 and 142/7, only a late partnership from Praison Alias 53 and Thomas Maidment 43 rescued their innings, and North Devon must have felt it was an opportunity potentially missed, as the home side reached a total of 229/9.

Opener Jay Rothery was dismissed for just 7 but North Devon then compiled a crucial partnership of 126 between skipper Jack Moore 72 and Jack Whittaker 59. Lakmal then chipped in with an unbeaten 57 from just 44 balls.

Sandford did breakthrough with a flurry of middle order wickets but North Devon held their nerve for a superb three-wicket victory that moves them within catching distance of Sidmouth, Sandford and Heathcoat at the halfway stage of the season. Next up is a visit from Cornwood.

At the top of the division, it’s game on again for Paignton in the title race. Looking to arrest a mid-season slump of two straight losses, Paignton had tail-ender Mark Gilmour’s 34-ball 62 not out (including six 4s and four 6s) to thank for getting them up to 264-9 at Mount Wise against in-form Plymouth.

A favourable start in the field, combining tight bowling and fielding, then had Plymouth wobbling at 57-5 and looking distant from their required target. Ayabulela Gqamane (4-29) was pick of the six bowlers used as the home side eventually ran out of wickets at 144 in the 41st over.

Then followed news from The County Ground that league leaders Bradninch and Kentisbeare had lost. Former Teignmouth and Shaldon rising star Seb Linnitt carrying his bat for 103 not out to guide Exeter home by three wickets.

In the Blights Motors North Devon Cricket League, Bridestowe & Belstone kept up their pursuit of leaders Heathcoat with a comprehensive 113 run victory in the East Devon derby at Hatherleigh, writes Patrick McEndoo.

Batting first, B&B racked up an all-out total of 307, which was mainly due to a 166-run 2nd wicket partnership, scotched together between Tallan Burns, who hit 101 retired off 65 balls, and Shaquan Glasgow, 100 retired off 63 balls.

James Ewen chipped in with 27, and Joseph Woolnough contributed 22. Martin Quick was the pick of the Hatherleigh bowlers with 3 for 33, Joshua Searle took 2 for 27.

Hatherleigh struggled against the eight bowlers used by B&B, Greg Solkin opened with a rapid 38, Oscar Moore top scored with 42, Adam Quick got 30, and there were 28 extras as they were all out for 192 in the 33rd over. Tallan Burns completed a man of the match performance by taking 3 for 33. Next up for B&B is the trip to leaders Heathcoat.

Bideford travelled to Nomansland and coasted to a 10-wicket victory. Nomansland were bundled out for 93 in the 24th over, no one bettered the 18 scored by Harry Cracknell. Elliot Curry took 5 for 15 for Bideford, Jim Keates 3 for 27 and Oliver Keates 2 for 17. Bideford knocked the runs off in a hurry, skipper Jack Ford hit an unbeaten 56 and Martin Stewart supported him with 15 not out.

Holsworthy made the long trip to Division Two leaders Exford for a top of the table clash, and it was Exford who won by 105 runs.

Exford’s total of 275 for 3 was based around an unbeaten 161 from Sam Price. He hit three sixes and 20 fours, facing 120 balls. Price found support from Ryan Jones 34, Ranjeesh Krishnan 32 not out and Paul Jones 21.

Krishnan then starred with the ball, with figures of 4 for 23 as Holsworthy were dismissed for 170. Anath Rajan supported him with 2 for 45, and Joshua Smith took 2 for 26. Rory Piper opened for Holsworthy with 33, but it was left to Adam Lovejoy, who hit an unbeaten 50 batting at 10, and 40 extras to get Holsworthy to their total. 

The final game was at Braunton, where Barnstaple & Pilton were the visitors, and it was B&P who won by 4 wickets. However, the story of the match belongs to Braunton colt Leo Pleasance,

Batting first, Braunton were reduced to 83 for 6, veteran B&P all-rounder Jamie Sutton taking 4 for 33, this was when Pleasance took control. He scored an unbeaten 113, facing 72 balls, hitting 19 fours and one six.

The youngster shared a 123-run partnership with Daniel Briers 43, to take his side to a 40-over total of 229 for 7. B&P skipper Ali Poll must have wished for the services of absent mystery spinner Tony Gilbert.

B&P reached their target in the 39th over for the loss of six wickets. Opener Colin Simpson hit a belligerent 82, he was backed up by 46 from Martin Brown, 29 not out from Jake Freer, who was there at the end with another youngster Zach Newman 15 not out. Jerrin James 2 for 38, was the best Braunton bowler

T20 scores

Hatherleigh 154 for 5 (J Presswell 58, R Quick 41, Julian Hayter 3 for 18). Bideford 157 for 4 (Julian Hayter 52, M Shepherd 52,  R Cockwill 2 for 19). Bideford 2 points beat Hatherleigh 0 by 6 wickets.

Westleigh 100 for 7 (R Wild 30, D Balan 29, J Tyson 3 for 8). North Devon 103 for 1 (J Rothery 51no, J Moore 40 no). North Devon 2 points beat Westleigh 0 by 9 wickets.

Braunton 166 for 7 (S Reddick 42, C Tucker 38, M Thomas 28, E Wood 3 for 12). Hatherleigh 167 for 4 (E Wood 101, N Leahy 28, J Mullens 2 for 52). Hatherleigh 2 points beat Braunton 0 by 6 wickets.