Devon Cricket Board - Smith brothers get on top of North Devon bowling

Smith brothers get on top of North Devon bowling

HEATHCOAT skipper Sam Smith slammed an opening day century to set up an 86-run win at North Devon.
Only two games went the distance in the top flight on Saturday as rain wrought havoc around Devon.
The only other match to make it to a finish was Torquay’s nine-wicket win at Plymouth.
Toby Lochead (20) and Dylan Penberthy (45) gave Heathcoat a flying start by rattling up 40 in the first five overs.
Sam Witheridge ad Quintin Dreyer both suffered under the lash, although South African Dreyer did see two catches grassed.
Witheridge (2-60) got Lochead out, not that it slowed the run rate for long.
There was a brief period of consolidation following the demise of Penberthy and Brad Barnes, Heathcoat’s summer signing from Western Province, the Smith and brother Joe got stuck in.
The Smiths put on 159 in 21 overs with Joe leading the way. His 75 off 72 balls, which included four fours and a six, took him past Sam from a standing start.
Josh King ran out Joe Smith with the score on 275 for four, at which point Sam really cut loose.
Sam Smith reached 139 off 122 balls with 16 four and five sixes before the returning Tom Allin had him caught by Dan Bowser in the last over as Heathcoat totalled 341 for seven in 50 overs.
On what wasn’t a great day for bowlers, North Devon spinner Max Curtis had Joe Smith dropped in 20 and Sam Smith put down on 30 at backward point.
North Devon needed a brisk start to stay in the game, so losing openers Barney Huxtable and Dan Bowser for one run between them was not ideal.
Ed Yeo and Allin went cheaply as Jamie Drew (2-43) and Paul Elliott (2-40) mowed down the early order.
Max Curtis defied the onslaught, which when Dreyer was out to Jack Menheneott had North Devon reeling at 71 for five.
Curtis, who had come in at first wicket down, was on 22 not out when Dreyer departed.
The game had just about gone by then, but Curtis earned North Devon maximum bonus points by batting through for an unbeaten 113.
Along the way there were stands of 82 with Jas Kalsi (43), 63 with Jack Popham, who ran well between the wickets for his 32, and 29 with Josh King.
Curtis finished on 113 not out – 10 fours and a six – in a total of 255 for eight.
Skipper Smith said it was a good way to start the season and a better win than it looked.
“It was a good toss to loose as I would have bowled, said Smith,
“Everyone chipped in but great to bat long with brother Joe.
“We were a bowler short as Dinesh Raheja was injured and couldn’t bowl, so we did well to defend our total,” said Smith.
“Our bowlers looked composed in that defence but I still feel we are a bowler short.”

North Devon skipper Barney Huxtable wasn't happy with his side - and admitted his decision to bowl first was a mistake.

“I won the toss and chose to bowl, which turned out to be the wrong decision,” said Huxtable.

“The wind was strong and bowling into it proved to be very difficult.

“The Smith brothers batted fantastically and taught us a lesson in running between the wickets.

“We dropped four vital catches which, looking back, cost us the game.”

“It wasn;t all gloom and doom though as there were positives in the wreckage of defeat.

“Max batted really well, so Jaz Kalsi, which is great to see as he had had a long dry spell,” said Huxtable.

“We are looking to re-build away to Exmouth this Saturday and go from there.:

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