Devon Cricket Board - D Division: Honiton take derby spoils

D Division: Honiton take derby spoils

HONITON claimed success in the East Devon Francis Clark League D Division derby at Acland Park where they inflicted a 92-run defeat on Feniton.

Skipper Kev Kelly was the star of the show with an unbeaten 53 to lead his side to a close of 167-7. The best of the supporting acts came from Rob Ingram with 25.

Adam Holmes then claimed 4-19 and Ingram completed a fine all-round contribution with 3-2 as the home side were bundled out for just 75.

Kelly said: “It was a damp wicket after the heavy rain of the day before so being struck in could have been a problem for us. We applied ourselves very well with the bat. One of the more senior players had suggested to me that on that surface 160 was a winning score so we felt at the break that we had a great chance. Then it was over to the bowlers and getting Brian Cann out early on was a huge bonus.”

Cann went, caught at mid-on by Joe Dixon to a slower delivery from opening bowler Adam Holmes. Another key wicket was that of Chris Palfrey who was lulled into hitting out at Ian Kelly only to be caught in the deep by Kieran Conway.

On Saturday Honiton entertain Uplyme and Lyme Regis in what will be their third successive East Devon derby this season.

Kelly says: “More of the same is what is asked for. The win over Feniton was a huge one for us and kick-started our season. Now we can look to push on.”

FILLEIGH made the long trip to Uplyme for little reward as they went down by eight wickets.

Kevin Toze top scored for Filleigh with 46 in a total of 178 for seven that also included 40 wides.

Alex Taylor then hit an unbeaten 93 to seal a comprehensive win for Uplyme.

SEATON made it three successive D Division wins and they sit two points behind Clyst Hydon who top the fledgling table.

Ed Hunt top scored with 54 from the opening slot and there were supporting knocks from Mike Wheeler (51) and Ben Morgan (40) as Seaton powered their way to maximum batting points before closing on 223-7.

Wheeler came to the wicket at number eight and faced just 20 deliveries for his half century!

Skipper Ben Morgan said: “At drinks we were 66-3 so to get maximum batting points was a good effort from all the batsmen. We felt very comfortable at tea as we know this season we have a well-balanced bowling attack. They were slightly ahead of us at drinks at 77-2, but once we nailed the third wicket we were on our way and they laboured to their closing total.”

Chris Aplin put the ball in the right spots to net a four wicket haul at a cost of just 19 runs and Wheeler completed a fine all-round shift with 2-43 as the Mid Devon side were restricted to 151-7.

Morgan says: “Three wins from three is a great start. However, we have tough games to come and for me, our season will be defined by how we perform in the next four games. If we can come out of them in similar mood to that we have right now then we will give ourselves a great chance of being there at the end of the campaign.”

ASHBURTON are back in business in the D Division following a 76-run win over Countess Wear.

The defeat at was quickly forgotten as Ashes racked up 228 for eight, then limited Countess Wear to 152 for nine in reply.

Opener Kevin Nicholls is enjoying a run of form right now which continued with a top score of 48, patiently compiled from 102 balls with just three boundaries.

Chris Pascoe made 30, then Ash Harvey (42) and Ashley Berry (47) kept the scoreboard whizzing round.

Countess Wear were always up against the wall after slumping to 22 for five in reply – Kris Connabeer (2-4) and Daman Singh (4-16) doing the damage.

Mark Davey’s 70, supported by 22 from Joe Heaver, got Clyst to three consolation batting points.

Coming next for Ashburton is a derby date against Shaldon Optimists, who were mauled by 168 runs at Clyst Hydon lastr time out.

Graham Trude (91) and Ian Sutton (51) blazed away for Hydon, who put on 100 in the last 12 overs to reach 251 for five.Dhanuda Hatarusginah chipped in with 40.

Todd Bullman (2-86) and Carl Woolnough (2-46) took the wickets.

Shaldon were all out for 83 in 17 overs – Kevin Sercombe taking eight for 27.

Seamus McKenna made 30 and Mark Couch 23, which did not leave a lot from the rest.

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