Devon Cricket Board - E Division: Honiton favourites for second place

E Division: Honiton favourites for second place

E Division

HONITON’S hold on the second E Division promotion berth was maintained with their maximum point win at bottom of the table Woodbury.

Adam Holmes was once again the star of an impressive all-round show with the ball, claiming 5-27.

Holmes then weighed in with a knock of 42 supporting George Meadows (74) and Alex Beighton (24) as Kev Kelly’s side ran out comfortable eight-wicket winners.

Kelly said: “It was a good solid all-round performance and that’s all you need when the business end of the campaign comes round.

“Three to play and our target is now a mathematical one. Forty nine points from the last three and we are going up, no matter what happened elsewhere.”

This Saturday Honiton can take a giant leap towards the D Division by effectively ending Upottery’s own promotion hopes. They follow that with another home East Devon derby, against Kilmington before bringing the curtain on what looks set to be another glorious, promotion winning season, with a final-day trip to Babbacombe.

Upottery bounced back from their weather problems the week before to beat visiting Tiverton & Bickleigh by six wickets. Tim Reed (25) was the top scorer in the visitors’ total of 107. Gary Kennard (4-27) and Matt Frost (3-11) were the main wicket takers for the hosts who were then led to a six-wicket win by Tom Wyatt (44).

Filleigh will gain a second promotion in three years of life in the Francis Clark Devon league if they bank 37 points in their last three outings.

They chalked up another maximum point win, beating hosts Kenn by four wickets. Darryl Bartlett (35) and Ian Ballinger (32) led the home side to 164 all out. John Hickman (4-25) and Tom Marsh (4-55) were the principle wicket takers for the table toppers who were then led to a four wicket win by James Hill (43), Nick Dartnoll (38) and Mark Prideaux (33). Vejay Goud and Rob Parsons both bagged a brace of wickets for Kenn.

Uplyme and Lyme Regis have quietly made their way into the E Division promotion picture. What’s more, their latest success, a five-wicket win at Babbacombe, was completed without the presence of their formidable Caddy brothers, Ashley and Adam!

Steve Batey took advantage of the Caddy’s absence to star with ball and then bat. First Batey took 4-19 and Jamie Toates took 3-27 as Babbacombe were bowled out for 96, in which only Matt Inch (20) made any progress.

Batey then top scored with 38 to lead the side to a five-wicket win. Richard Backholer took 2-10 for the South Devon side.

Kilmington were maximum point winners at Kentisbeare where they batted first, scored 241-8 and then bundled the Mid Devon side out for just 136! With regular skipper Maurice Beviss under doctors’ orders to play no further part in the season, Hal Cook took charge and saw John Lavender (48) and Dave Cook (69) put on a century for the opening wicket.

Then wickets fell before late runs came from the stand-in skipper, Izzy Wickramaratne and 15-year-old Matt Rockett took Kilmington to a healthy 241-8. Tom Wallis, Rockett and Tom Gooding then each bagged three wicket hauls as the Kents were rolled over for 136.

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