Devon Cricket Board - F Division: Shaldon installed as new leaders

F Division: Shaldon installed as new leaders

F Division

SHALDON took over at the top of the F Division table thanks to morning leaders Topsham St James surprising defeat at home to Exeter Civil Service and their own eight wicket home win over Newton St Cyres. The Mid Devon side batted first and, despite a fine 46 from Dave Church, were bowled out for 114. Shamus McKenna (4-47), Chris Whitehead (3-2) and Carl Woolnough (2-14) claimed wickets for Shaldon who were led to victory by Will Moore (49) and McKenna, who completed a fine all-round effort with an unbeaten 48.

It all goes down to the penultimate game for Shaldon who know that victory over third placed Yarcombe on Saturday will confirm their promotion to the E Division.

Topsham St James were shocked at home by Exeter Civil Service who bundled them out for 149 with Nick Rowe taking 4-10. Nick Horne (45) and Alex Sparkes (31) were the only Saint’s batsmen to prosper and then Howard Rose (29) and Nick Rose (28) saw the Civil Servants limp to a two wicket win. Joe Thomlinson took 3-32 for the beaten hosts who now will surely still get promoted for, with Shaldon and Yarcombe meeting on Saturday, they’ll know a victory over Chelston for them will lead to the start of celebrations.

Yarcombe have given themselves a fighting chance of claiming one of the F Division promotion berths.

A four wicket win at Cheriton Fitzpaine, coupled with a surprise defeat for Topsham St James, means that if Nigel Parris’s men defeat Shaldon this Saturday in their pen-ultimate game, they can travel to Newton St Cyres on the final day where another victory could see them go up at the expense of one of Shaldon and Topsham St James. Rex Helston (4-28) and Matthew Barnacle (3-39) combined to bowl the Cherries out for 142.

Paddy Blake (53), Mike Foan (20) and skipper Ben Coe (20) scored for the Mid Devon side. Blake then took 3-41 and Jim Cutler picked up 3-62 but no one else managed to claim a wicket as Yarcombe got home on 143-6.

Simon Durrant top scored with 48 and Ben Fuzzard struck a valuable 27.

Eric Greggersen (46), Mark Andrews (43), John Elliott (39) and Charlie Hill (30) all made contributions as Kingskerswell were restricted to 192-6 at Cullompton. Malcolm Paiva took 3-35 for the Mid Devon side who then close don 161-9. Andy Stamp (29) and Mark Ashplant (28) fired the host top scores whilst Paul Harding claimed figures of 5-45 for the visitors.

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