Division One
THERE was a big surprise at Filleigh where the home side were humbled by Victoria Park, a result that makes it advantage Heathcoat in the race for this season’s top honour.
Victoria Park were led to 238-7 by a superb knock of 93 from Neil Bettis and then, despite an unbeaten 45 from John Hickman, the leaders were bowled out for 201.
The defeat means Heathcoat, who were not in action, edge into top spot and for the Knightshayes side the equation is straight forward, if they win their remaining three games at home to Victoria Park and Bradninch and away at Sandford, then the title will remain in Mid Devon for a second successive year after the Sandford win twelve months ago.
At the opposite end of the table Newton Tracey boosted their chances of being the one side to drop out of the top flight when they took their points average into double figures with a stunning run chase at Lynton & Lynmouth where they hunted down the home sides offering of 324-3 to win by four wickets with an over to spare! Ed Yeo (115no) and Dave Proctor (104no), put on 180 for the 4th wicket but then Simon Gear (67), Rob Gear (57no) and Phil Steward (44), together with 74 extras, saw the visitors to a memorable win.
Newton Tracey climb above Bideford to 3rd bottom and suddenly their prospects look so much brighter.
North Devon won at something of a canter at Bideford but not before the home side had given them something to think about! The visiting side were 101-7 when Stuart Rhodes, coming in at number nine, joined forces with number eight Ali Crombie and the pair promptly put on 137 for the 8th wicket. The innings eventually closed on 274, Rhodes finally dismissed in the last over by Josh King for 92. Crombie’s knock was 58 whilst there were other runs from Tom Ansell (31) and Dan Pickard (25). Bideford skipper Ian Hayter took 3-35, Chris Luxton had 2-30. The home reply was all over at 126 with extras the biggest contribution on 21. Alex Hodges provided the best with the bat for an unbeaten 20. That man Rhodes claimed 3-14, Craig Overton took 2-34, John Ashmore claimed 3-18 and Max Curtis bagged a brace with 2-11.
Division Two
Division Two leaders Braunton saw their title bid receive a potentially terminal blow when they slipped to a two wicket defeat in a low-scoring affair at Beaford.
Braunton were put in and bundled out for just 61 in 27 overs, but that so nearly proved enough o win as the home side lost six wickets chasing down the total. Barney Huxtable (15) and Ross Burbidge (14) were the only visiting batsmen into double figures as Mark lake took 5-17 and Ali McMillan bagged a brace but then wickets tumbled in the reply and, at 17-5, an away win was looking on the cards. Then Nigel Lake (19) and nephew Ben Lake (17) combined to add 33 to take the score to 50 for 6, two more wickets fell and at 57-8 the result was again in the balance before Paul Heard kept his cool to hit an unbeaten 5 and see the hosts to victory.
Braunton stay top but Morebath have lost a game less and are now favourites to take one of the two promotion place in next season’s top flight after they pushed Filleigh II nearer relegation.
Batting first Morebath sailed to 287-7 led by Richard Saville with 89 whilst there were other contributions from John Chilcott (41) and Robb Venn (30). Filleigh II were then bowled out for 171 despite a fine half century from James Marsh. Steve Dawson claimed 4-24 and if Morebath can win all their remaining five games then they will join the big guns in the top flight next season.
Barnstaple & Pilton heaped more woe on relegation threatened Shobrooke Park with a 119 run victory in Mid Devon. Barum’s match winner was Matt Clarke who first hit an unbeaten 65 in his side’s total of 219-8 and the he claimed 4-21 as the home side were bowled out for 100.
Holsworthy were too strong for Bratton Fleming who they beat by 129 runs. Andy Layton (67) and Darren Jenkins (59) were the principle run scorers for the home side. James Tapp (5-23) and Ollie Hunt (3-39) claimed the wickets for the visitors who were then shot out for 88 as only Paddy Dartnoll managed to make runs, hitting 32. Steve Drew claimed 4-6 from nine exceptional overs, James Long (3-25) and Keith Drew (2-16), were also amongst the wickets for Holsworthy.
Division Three
DIVISION Three leaders Incorrigibles kept one of only two 100% records still alive in the League this season when they defeated Bude at Witheridge.
Chris Kelmere (90), Matt Geen (70) and Aaron Hearne (40) made the bigger contributions to a home total of 290-5. The visitors were then bundled out for just 130.
Sandford II added weight to their promotion claims with a massive 210 run win at Bratton Fleming II who remain one of only two sides throughout the League yet to claim a single win this season. Pete Steer totally dominated proceedings before tea plundering 142, this after he was dropped on one! Such was Steer's control that the next best for the Creedy men was Sean Hawkins with 34!. Steer's knock helped the side to an imposing 343-9, one that the home side could not get close to, being bowled out for 133. Murray Sharp struck a defiant 36, Scott Cockram bagged 4-19 for the visitors.
North Devon II and Westleigh both went into their meeting at Instow knowing that the winners would maintain an interest in promotion whilst for the losers it meant for sure another season in the section. At stumps it was Westleigh still with an eye on the next level after they had sealed a 48 run win. Richard Pearson was the star of the show with a top score of 48 in the Westleigh offering of 165 and he then took 2-4 as the Instow hosts were bowled out for 117. John Wainwright was the pick of the home side with 3-39 and an unbeaten 28 whilst Scott Amoss also had a three wicket haul in the pre tea session.
DIVISION FOUR
Division Four leaders Weare Giffard won at Kelseymen to maintain their grip on the top position.
John Wittram top scored with a superb 112 and Ben Curtis played his part with 87, the pair adding 194 for the 6th wicket, a new Divisional record as the visiting side went from 66-5 to 260-6 before closing on 284-8. Harry Booker and Mike Mitchell both bagged braces of wickets for the home side who were then bowled out for 157 with Booker top scoring with 61 and Mitchell chipping in with 20. Curtis completed a fine all round effort with 3-16 and there was a similar haul for James Mayne (3-34).
Halberton continue to press for a place in the higher section next summer after they defeated the team who began the day immediately below them in the table, Lynton & Lynmouth II. It was all a little too easy for the Mid Devon side who whipped the visitors out for just 97 as Jim Cranstone top scored with 25. Tim Hutchings (3-31) accounted for the top three and then Dillon Penberthy (3-16) and Jim Cooper (2-2) got in on the action leaving Tom Sambrook (34) and Jeremy Turner (29), to see Halberton to a six wicket win at 101-4. Tristan Jones took 2-24 to go to his earlier cameo knock of 19.
Two of the bottom three met at Newton Tracey II where North Devon III went down by eight wickets. Ben Ainger (33) top scored for the visitors as Alex Hickman claimed 3-23 in a total of 128, passed with ease at 129-2 by the hosts thanks to an unbeaten 66 from John Turner.
There was an amazing conclusion to the game at Cheriton Fitzpaine where Victoria Park II claimed a stunning single wicket win thanks to a brace of 6’s off the last two balls of the contest by Robin Potter. Earlier Cheriton Fitzpaine had been restricted to 166-9 led by an unbeaten 48 from Jeremy Trix and 41 from Ben Coe. The Cherries will be glad they do not have to face Mike Harris again this season! When the two sides met in North Devon on May 24th Harris sent down 9 overs, seven of which were maidens and conceded just five runs. On this occasion Harris again bowled nine overs and again seven were maidens, only this time he took a wicket and conceded just six runs! Dave Gordon chipped in with 4-22 and then top scored with 47 in the successful run chase. Rowan Hardiman was bowling the final over having already bagged five wickets but, with the last pair at the wicket, Potter slammed the final two deliveries for 6 to seal a single wicket win for his side and lift them out of the bottom two for the first time since May.
Division Five
BELSTONE’S 100 per cent record remains unscathed, and they are just one win from being confirmed as being promoted at the first time of asking, after defeating visiting Petrockstowe who were bundled out for just 67 in 28 overs.
Lewis Harris hit 22 for the visitors as Scott Tremaine claimed 3-8 in nine overs and Luke Wonnacott took 2-25. Adam Griffiths (33no) and Martin Credicott (27no) saw their side to a nine wicket win and the game was all over just before 5pm.
Two of the bott6om three met at Bishop Nympton where Heathcoat II were the visitors. Lee Dixon hit a fine 45 and Sean Andrews chipped in with 17 as Heathcoat closed on 142 all out. Andy Paine then top scored with 24 as the hosts were bowled out for 126 with Dixon completing a fine all round effort with 3-11, he also held a brace of catches. Matt Lilley also took 2-19 for the Mid Devon side.
Phil Hope hit 45 as Nomansland posted a total of 193. Filleigh II chased it down superbly only to fall short by a single run.
