Imperious Heathcoat lead the way in North Devon Cricket League

Heathcoat continued their unbeaten season in the Blights Motors North Devon League with a 36-run victory at Hatherleigh.

Heathcoat struggled against the Hatherleigh bowling, Jack Probert 4 for 39, Oscar Moore 3 for 45 and Cameron Rowlands 2 for 27, helped reduce the visitors to 136 for 9. It was a last wicket partnership of 78 between Daniel Pugsley (66) and skipper Christopher Salter (20no) that took Heathcoat to an all-out total of 214. Earlier, Harry Pryce (33) and Will Edward (32) were the main scorers.

Hatherleigh’s chase was led by Rowlands (42) and Kirt Forgham (50). Probert 28 then took Hatherleigh to 153 for 5 and favourites to win, however, Heathcoat fought back and took the last five wickets for 25 to claim victory. James Pugsley was the main protagonist, taking 4 for 39, Jack McManus (2 for 33) provided back up.

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Over at Instow, Nomansland were the visitors, and it was North Devon who won comfortably by 8 wickets.

Nomansland’s total of 240 for 7 was largely due to Elliot Butterfield, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 110. and a robust 64 from Xavier Warmbrunn. Roshan Lakmal was the pick of the North Devon bowlers with 3 for 23. Steve Moore chipped in with 2 for 43.

North Devon's opening Partnership of 211 between Lakmal and Nav Vanderbona broke the back of the chase. Lakmal was eventually caught behind for 104 off a delighted Fred Bucknell, who then took a spectacular catch that saw the end of Vanderbona for 96, just short of his maiden century.

It's tight at the top of Division 2, Barnstaple & Pilton’s victory at Lynton & Lynmouth took them top, although Newton Tracey’s victory at Exford puts them hot on their heels

Batting first, Barnstaple racked up 279 for 7, their top three batters all scored at over a run a ball. Finley Tapp hit 14 fours and 2 sixes in his 97, Matt Newton’s 64 included 10 four and two sixes, and James "Pingu" Roe hit 52 off 42 balls. Robin Holland was the pick of the Lynton bowlers, taking 3 for 54, and there was a couple for Fred Batt.

Vishnu Kombat gave it all at the top of Lynton’s reply. He bludgeoned 9 fours and 8 sixes in scoring 95 off 46 balls. Once he was out, Mat Falkiner (34), Robin Holland and Tristan Jones both with 29 took up the challenge, but it was the visitors attack that prevailed, all seven bowlers took a wicket, Newton's 3 for 26 and Zach Newman’s 2 for 37 being the pick.

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At Exford, Newton Tracey won by 179 runs, with the batting performance of the day. Newton openers Oliver Symons (133) and Dhavalkumar Patel (126) put on 254 for the first wicket. They both hit 14 fours and 7 sixes. Symons faced 131 balls, Patel 84. They both fell to Ryab Jones (3 for 22). After they were out, Dom Robson (27no) guided Newton to 327 for 4.

Sam Price’s 56 off 26 balls and Jonah Hopkins 40 off  31 gave it a go for Exford, but once they were dismissed, the innings petered out, and Exford were all out for 148 in the 19th over. Shane Andrew took 3 for 31, and there was a couple each for Domi Moore and Nicholas Blyth.

Over at Westward Ho! Victoria Park kept themselves in contention with a six-wicket victory over Holsworthy.

Jack Greening played a lone hand for Holsworthy, scoring exactly 100 in a 40-over total of 181 for 7. Next best was 27 extras and skipper Ryan Seymour Smith and Nick Ward both hit 15no at the end. Adrian Scarrett and Ian Brown both took a couple for the Park. 

Jack Sargent (73) and Ben Scarett (55) broke the back of the chase, with an opening stand of 129, next best was extras with 20, as the Park won with over eight overs in hand. Adam Lovejoy (2 for 20) was the best Holsworthy bowler.