DIVISION ONE
THE matches cancelled counts grows ever closer to a ‘century' with another set of fixtures cancelled in week 16 that takes the total to 96 for the season.
First division leaders North Devon were rained off at Barnstaple & Pilton, that the eighth time in twelve scheduled matches that Barum have been unable to play this soggy season!
Bideford maintained their challenge as they put ‘doomed' Ilfracombe to the sword. Australian Sam Hughes plundered an unbeaten 150 and together with Dan Bowser (68) and Keith Bettis (34) helped Bideford to an imposing 311-4. All too much for Ilfracombe who were bundled out for just 44 with Matt Bettis taking 3-13 but it was 15 year old right arm seamer Josh King who stole the headlines with his spell of bowling. Young Josh sent down 3.4 overs and took four wickets without conceding a run and he achieved the hat-trick!
Reigning champions North Molton were playing their first League game since June 10, such has been the cancellation count in Mid Devon, their rustiness showed as they went down by 14 runs at Sandford.
Shane Evenden top scored for the Creedy Park side with 46 and then took two wickets as did Richard Foan as the North Molton innings closed on 200 all out. Wicket keeper Alan Jones hit his side's top score, he made 96.
DIVISION TWO
THE big match was at Victoria Park and it was significant in as much it probably marked the end of the Lynton & Lynmouth promotion bid. Victoria Park won the game by eight wickets, successfully chasing down a total of 123, five wickets for Mike Cashmore and three for Paul Tuson,
Colin Bettis then hit an unbeaten half century as he, John Glass (30) and Will Anderson (22no) ensured that Victoria Park retained their 100 per cent record a distinction they share with joint leaders Bradninch. Lynton & Lynmouth have now lost two games and given the top two's air of invincibility it is probably going to be Bradninch and Victoria Park playing in the top tier next term.
Heathcoat picked up a first win of the season when they won by five wickets at Mid Devon neighbors Shobrooke Park. John Sweeney top scored with 33, Brian Randall chipped in with 29 as the hosts closed on 135. Martyn Williams grabbed a ‘fivefer' and there were another three wickets for South African Sean Dick for a Heathcoat side who got home by five wickets thanks to Tom Frankpitt's unbeaten 42. James Steer picked up three wickets for the losing side.
Westleigh picked up only their second win of the campaign with a four wicket success at home to Braunton. The visitors were bowled out for 143 with John Higgs top scoring with 69. John Brewer took 5-36 and Chris Newton claimed 4-32.
Westleigh replied with Richard Pearson hitting an unbeaten 40 and Danny Tresgaskis getting 28 the win confirmed at 144-6. Chris Brigden took two wickets and Ed Holmes claimed 3-17.
DIVISION THREE
TWO of the sections games were called off owing to waterlogged pitches.
The games at Incorrigibles where Morebath were the visitors and at Tiverton & Bickleigh who were due to entertain Bude. North Devon II lost by three wickets at home to Hatherleigh Colin Welch top scored with 59 in a total of 164-8. Simon Gillespie made the biggest contribution in the successful run chase with 34, John Wainwright and Dan Payne both took two wickets.
DIVISION FOUR
BLACK Torrington's pitch was unfit for their game to go ahead with Victoria Park II.
DIVISION SIX
THE Filleigh II versus Bradninch II game fell to a waterlogged pitch but there was action at North Molton II where Weare Giffard continued their 100 per cent winning start to life in the league with an emphatic 206-run win.
Lee Huxtable hit a top score of 80 not out in the Wear Giffard offering of 301-5, the highlight for the home side being a two wicket take for 13 year old Jack Reed, his best in Senior League cricket. Phil Geen then hit 31 in the North Molton II reply of 95, six different Weare Giffard bowlers claimed wickets.