Devon Cricket Board - North Devon make it three in a row

North Devon make it three in a row

NORTH Devon’s revival continued as they triumphed by 63 runs at Torquay.

North Devon were held to 247 for eight in 50 overs with two wickets each for Ben Passenger, Nick Watkin and Dan Wightman.

Opener Barney Huxtable top scored for North Devon – he hit 60 – while pro cricketers Glenn Querl (31) and Tom Allin (44) chipped in.

Allin made an early breakthrough when he removed Torquay opener Tim Western, but it was Querl who did the real damage with three for 24 on his return after being banned from bowling due to a suspect action.

Although the ECB cleared Querl to bowl in league and county 2^nd XI cricket last Friday, he remains suspended in First Class matches.

Devon League officials say being banned in some forms of cricket but not others is a nonsense – and say it has to be all or nothing.

The Devon Cricket Board has taken up the case on behalf of the league with chairman Jim Wood tackling it with officials at Lord’s today.

Although Querl took three wickets against his side, Torquay captain Ben Passenger had no complaints.

“He bowled well – no bad balls at all – and as far as I could there was nothing wrong with his action,” said Passenger.

“I thought he wasn’t quite as quick as last season and his action looked different, but there wasn’t any problem.

“Paul Heard was the bowler who found the conditions suited him best and was very impressive.”

The Thompson brothers – Matt (31) and Joe (42) resisted in theTorquay middle, but once they were parted at 140 for five Heard (4-27) ran through the bottom half of the order.

Torquay were all out for 184 in reply, a 63-run defeat which leaves them two places and 16 points above the second relegation place.

North Devon’s third successive win lifts them to sixth in the table – 20 points off the drop zone.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773