- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
PLYMOUTH kept a tight grip on second place in the Premier Division with a run-rate win at North Devon.
The City side looked to be coasting after skittling North Devon for 126 in the 48th over – opener Neil Bettis making a patient 54.
Max Curtis (32) and Matt Dart (21) were the only other batters to reach double figures for North Devon, who got bogged down badly against spinner Gionne Koopman (4-10) and lost wickets trying to catch up.
Plymouth were 49 for three when the rain swept in through the sand dunes at Instow, which meant recalculating a target on run-rate.
Ben Stein had been taken by a great catch on the boundary hooking Jack Pudney, James Toms hit the next ball for four and was bowled immediately and Jake Luffman prodded around for a couple.
Twenty overs were lost and a new target of 76 in 30 overs should have been a doddle. It wasn’t.
Koopeman slipped between the wickets and was run out for 27 with 12 needed.
Joe Hagan Burt and Matt Hooper went cheaply and suddenly Plymouth were 64 for six.
Former captain Steve Luffman calmed jangling Plymouth nerves with a six and a four, leaving Rob Benett to smack Tom Allin to the ropes for the winning runs.
Second-placed Plymouth are six points clear of Exmouth and skipper Hooper feels that is about right.
“We are happy with our league position and I think we are there deservedly,” said Hooper.
Hooper said while the league position may be right, how the game finished wasn’t ideal.
Clubs are pressing the league to bring in Duckworth-Lewis for rain-affected games and drop run-rate completely.
“When we got on the bus at nine in the morning we would have taken a win,” said Hooper.
“We bowled brilliantly, we didn't give them anything and Bettis had to bat brilliantly to get them to a respectable total.
“Then we did our best to throw it away but they bowled well.
“It would have been very interesting without the rain break. The rules have to change.”
Huxtable, who was standing in as captain in the absence of Matt Westaway on a fishing trip, said North Devon did well to give Plymouth a fright under the circumstances.
“The wicket was hard and doing a bit early on and Neil Bettiss showed great initiative and dug in while wickets where falling around him,” said Huxtable.
“It was great for him to have some time at the crease, especially after looking so good last week against Torquay.
“We bowled and fielded really well to have them 46 for three before the rain.
“After the rain it left them 26 to get of 19 overs. We showed great fight and got them six down when Steve Luffman came in and showed his experience by finishing the game off.”