Devon Cricket Board - North Devon set new Premier record

North Devon set new Premier record

TORQUAY were on the receiving end of a record-breaking batting performance by North Devon in their final game of the season.

Craig Overton flogged 154 off 114 balls with 16 fours and five sixes as North Devon made 373 all out with two balls remaining of their 50 overs.

Dan Bowser also made a century – his 105 coming from a pedestrian 84 balls – and Glenn Querl hit 74 off 67 balls at the start.

There were stands off 115 between Querl and Overton and another of 196 for the fourth wicket.

North Devon became the third side to break the Premier batting record this season, slipping past Budleigh Salterton (367-3) and Plymouth (369-8) in the process.

Also broken – only just - was the Premier Division record for the fourth wicket of 196 which was posted in 1994 by Seaton batsmen Brad Donelan and Richard Newton against Exmouth.

Jack Richardson (0-46) was the only Torquay bowler to go for less than five an over.

Dan Wightman was the most expensive, but did take six wickets while conceding 95 runs.

Torquay had nothing to lose by playing positively having secured their Premier survival seven days earlier by beating Bradninch.

Justin Yau top scored with 70 in a Torquay reply of 293 all out – and for a while it looked like the visitors might even win!

Des Kruger cracked 42 of 29 balls, Yau had 70 off 62 and there were chip ins from Tim Western (21) and Joe Thompson (28).

Matt Dart (3-23) and skipper Rob Ayre (3-41) bowled North Devon back into control, although there remained a sting in the tail.

Wightman went out at the end and swung 52 off 42 balls in an entertaining last-wicket stand of 69 with Richardson (26).

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773