Week One April 14th/15
BUDE started the new season with a stylish win as they overcame Hatherleigh by 120 runs. Skipper Ashley Hockin had the honour of scoring his side's first league runs of the new campaign with a polished pull shot that flew over the ropes.
Hockin went on to make 86 and Andrew De Rosa chipped in with 84 – the pair put on 127 for the third wicket – helping their side to a close of 234-9.
This was too much for Hatherleigh who were bowled out for 114 and Australian Scott Perkins certainly introduced himself to the North Devon Holiday Homes Cricket League. Perkins, bowling a varied right arm off spin sent down nine overs and bagged what will surely be one of many “five-fers” at a cost of just eight runs.
Skipper Hockin said: “He (Perkins), certainly looks the part, he seemed to get plenty out of the track and I am sure we see many more such hauls from him this season.”
Braunton made a bitter-sweet start to their life back in the Second Division of the North Devon Cricket league with an opening-day defeat at home to new boys Bradninch, quickly followed by a six-wicket win at Shobrooke Park.
On Saturday, Ian Roberts struck his side's first league runs of the new campaign with a crisp cover drive. Roberts went on to make 26, Tom Mitcham hit a top score of 43 and the home innings closed on 169-9. For the visitors there were two wickets for debutant Louden Bhatti, Ross Acton and another player making his first league appearance for the Club – Lucas Fencil.
The Third Division Champions then got home by three wickets with Louden crowning a fine first game for the Side, hitting former England player Mark Lathwell for six off the first ball of the games penultimate over. Earlier Gary Newall top scored with 36, one more than Ross Acton whilst Gary Chappell hit 22. Lathwell took 2-25 off nine overs – the former England star's first six overs went for just nine runs. There were also two wicket hauls for Mark Mitchell (2-37) and Mark Johnson (2-26) whilst 13 year old Barney Huxtable opened his account for the season with 1-29.
On Sunday Braunton travelled to Shobrooke Park where a rock-hard surface and warm sunshine made for a cracking game of cricket. The hosts batted first and posted a healthy 248-8, Australian Brian Randall leading the way with 75 whilst Phil Anning struck 37.
Andy Abbott belied his “senior status” to take 3-41 from nine splendid overs and Johnny Higgs claimed 3-51. Higgs then led an outstanding run chase cracking the lleague's “first” century of the season. He struck an unbeaten 104 as he and Eddie Holmes (35no) took their side from 108-4 to a six-wicket win with an unbroken stand of 141. Ben Trenaman picked up a couple of wickets for the home side.
North Devon II got their Division Three season off to a winning start on Saturday thanks to a five-wicket win over Sandford II at Instow. The visitors batted first and recorded a competitive 240-5, Asa Wright top scored with 66. James Whitrum grabbing the honour of taking North Devons “first” league wicket of the new season.
The reply was led by Stuart Rhodes who cracked a superb 90. Dan Pickard chipped in with 55 and Tom Stanton also struck a half century – he hit 51.
DIVISION TWO
Braunton 169-9 (T Mitcham 43, I Roberst 26; L Bhatti 2-25, R Acton 2-28, L Fencil 2-30), Bradninch 174-7 (G Newall 36, R Acton 35). Bradninch (20pts) bt Braunton (7) by 3 wkts.
Shobrooke Park 248-8 (B Randall 75, P Anning 37; A Abbot 3-41, J Higgs 3-51), Braunton 249-4 (J Higgs 104no, E Holmes 35no). Braunton (20pts) bt Shobrooke Park (4) by 6 wkts.
DIVISION THREE
Bude 234-9 (A Hockin 86, A De Rosa 84), Hatherleigh 114 (S Perkins 5-8). Bude (20pts) bt Hatherleigh (0) by 120 runs.
Sandford II 240-5 (A Wright 66; J Whitrum 2-42), North Devon II 242-5 (S Rhodes 90, D Pickard 55, T Stanton 50). North Devon II (20pts) bt Sandford II (5) by 5 wkts.