Devon Cricket Board - D Division - Third straight promotion for Shaldon

BRING it on! Shaldon Optimists can’t wait for the next cricket season to start after winning promotion for the third year running.

The Optimists defeated Honiton by three wickets in their final game of the season to secure promotion from the D Division as runners-up behind champions Clyst Hydon.

It proved to be a really tense affair for Shaldon, who were 110 for five chasing 194 to win and got over the line thanks to Andy Epsley’s unbeaten half-century.

“That’s three in a row now – F, E and D Division – and we can’t wait for next season in the C Division,” said skipper Craig Greenwood.

“It has been an exciting ride so far and there is more to come.

“The C Division means power plays and independent umpires – lots of new challenges.

“We have had a great run so far; let’s hope we can keep it going.”

Honiton -70 for seven at one stage – recovered to 153 all out thanks to half centuries from Adrian Holmes and Rob Ingram. There were four wickets for Chris Whitehead and three more for Carl Woolnough.

Shaldon’s chase wasn’t without its problems, wobbling from 72 for three to 110 for five then 157 for six as Karl Blackburn (21), Seamus McKenna (30) and Jamie Day (24) all fell by the wayside.

Epsley found at willing running mate in Woolnough (12no) at from 167 for seven onwards as the final runs were knocked off.

It was a sweet moment for Shaldon, but a bitter one for Seaton, who finished third for the second year running and missed out on promotion by four points.

Countess Wear were bowled out for 116, passed by Seaton for the loss of five wickets.

UPLYME defeated Halberton by six wickets to send the mid-Devon side down into the E Division.

Jed Whittington (45) and Alex Taylor (24) put on 58 for the opening wicket, then Adam Caddy (26) and skipper Steve Batey (38no) added 61 for the fourth wicket.

Earlier Adam Caddy (4-20), Paddy Barraclough (2-20), Neil Price (2-24) and Jack lamb-Wilson (2-25) had combined to bowl the Mid Devon side out for 148.
The 2nds went down to an Axminster II side that were crowed divisional champions after a 43-run win. Axminster’s 204-6 was answered by a total of 161.
Uplyme and Lyme Regis secretary Eddie Clark, reflecting on the season as a whole said: “The club has to be pleased with the performances of both teams this season which reflects a lot more consistency and strength in depth.

“The impression is that members have enjoyed the season and club spirit has been good”.

The Uplyme and Lyme Regis CC Presentation Evening is being held on Friday, September 13 and members wishing to go are asked to contact Derek Wellman.

FENITON endured the most dramatic of last days’ of a cricket season to emerge with their Francis Clark Devon League D Division status intact.

The Acland Park side began the final match day of the campaign rock bottom of the section knowing they had to beat Ashburton and the rely on favourable results elsewhere.

That is precisely what happened as they banked a 20-point success thanks to unbeaten half centuries from Brian Cann and his son Josh; this after John Pyle had claimed a five-fer, to bowl the visitors out for 151 to set up a seven-wicket success.

That left Feniton awaiting news from other venues which ultimately came through as a Countess Wear defeat at home to Seaton with three points taken and a Halberton and Sampford Peverell defeat at Uplyme and Lyme Regis with four points banked which al left Feniton sitting third bottom of the table, five points clear of the two relegation berths!

Feniton skipper Graham Tucker said: “I’ve been in this game for a long time, but rarely has a last day of a season gone so according to plan! I had a feeling that, as long as we did our job I getting the maximum points we’d find salvation in the form of wins for Seaton and Uplyme and Lyme Regis and so it turned out.

“It started badly as I wanted to bat first, but losing the toss meant we fielded which, ironically, probably played into our hands for we bowled superbly, knocked them over and then watched the two Cann’s stroke us to victory. It really was the perfect day.”

Speaking of the season in general, Tucker said: “It’s been a campaign riddled with poor decisions, disappointing availability, unfortunate injuries, ill-health to key players and then, in all the close games, of which there were six, we came out second best.

“ Therein lies the problem. To have a good season you need to be coming out on top in the majority of close encounters and this term we were not able to do that.

“Staying in the D Division could prove to be so crucial for the long-term well-being of the club. Had we slipped down another level we may never have been able to get back to where I believe a Feniton CC team belongs, and that is much higher up the cricketing pyramid.

“It’s been a very tough season, but we’ll be back for more next year.”