Devon Cricket Board - E Division: Uplyme miss out

E Division: Uplyme miss out

E DIVISION

THREE teams entered the final day of the E Division season with realistic prospects of ending the day as one of the two promoted clubs.

At stumps it was celebration time for the players of Filleigh and Honiton and commiserations for those of Uplyme and Lyme Regis.

Uplyme and Lyme Regis made the short trip to Kilmington knowing that they simply had to win.

The hosts were only able to field ten players and that number was reduced to nine when star bowler Ben Noble was injured whilst fielding – he’d only sent down five of his overs – and he was carted off to hospital for scans on what looked a nasty knee injury.

With the attack significantly weakened and the Kilmington track again looking akin to a motorway, the visitors filled their boots, piling on the runs, to a declaration at 271-1. Robert Thom (114no) and Steve Batey (111no) put on 227 for the unbroken second wicket –a new league record.

All that Ashley Caddy’s men needed then was to whip the nine-man hosts out and they’d be sitting pretty for a top two finish.

The home side though, had other ideas, and they too prospered on a magnificent batting strip, closing on 163-1 with Dave Cook (73) and John Lavender (71) the unbeaten home batsmen at the close.

Caddy said: “It just wasn’t mean to be.

“I still maintain that we were done no favours this season by the weather having more games called off than anybody else. We’ll be back in 12 months time to hopefully have another crack at stepping up.”

Honiton were forced to dig deep before they were able to seal a maximum points win at relegated Babbacombe, a result which confirmed their place in next season’s D Division.

Phil Tansley claimed 4-48 as the Torbay side were bowled out for 174 with Marcus Tanton (35) and Steve Cocker (33) the top two run providers.

Wickets tumbled in the run chase but Honiton nerves were steadied by a fine disciplined knock from Jack Dixon (33) and, with Rob Ingram hitting 28, the East Devon men were able to bag a two wicket win at 176-8.

Tim Goodwin picked up a final day fivefer, finishing with figures of 5-53.

Filleigh were crowned champions when they put already relegated Woodbury to the sword in a game that was finished well before the scheduled tea break!

James Popplewell (2-4), Ryan Bowden (2-5), James Hill (2-7) and John Hickman (2-16) shared the wicket-taking duties as hapless Woodbury were bundled out inside 33 overs for 55.

There were 17 extras in the book with the highest offering from any bat the 10 of M Harrison.

Rob Collier hit an unbeaten 36 as Filleigh raced to victory onside 10 overs.

Joe Blackmore (56) and Martin Howe (53) were the principle run getters for Kentisbeare in a total of 268 al out at home to Upottery.

Mark Frost took 4-72 for the East Devon side who then closed on 209-7 in reply. Skipper Dave Woolacott top scored with 54 whilst Chris Gillette as the most successful of the Kents’ bowlers with 2-17.

Dave Murfin (730, Pete Chislett (41), Veejay Goud (35) and Rob Parsons (27) were amongst the runs as Kenn closed on 242-9 at home to Tiverton and Bickleigh.

Stewart McDonald claimed 3-25 and Russell Hilton chipped in with 3-63 for the Mid Devon men who were then bowled out for 127.

Dave Marshall provided the best of the resistance with the bat scoring 34 whilst Chislett completed a fine all-round effort with 4-43 and Dane Wilson bagged figures of 3-50.

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