Devon Cricket Board - E Division

E Division - Filleigh foul up

E DIVISION - WEEK 16

THE E Division title race was thrown wide open with the defeat of table-topping Filleigh at the hands of Kentisbeare in a low-scoring affair in North Devon.

Kentisbeare batted first and laboured their way to 98 with John Hickman picking up a brace of wickets.

However, if Filleigh thought at the break between innings that their job was done then they were very mistaken because the Kents’ Andrew Chave promptly claimed six wickets for seven runs as the hosts were hustled out for just 38 with the top individual score being a paltry seven from Rob Collier.

Skipper Simon Prideaux said: “We chose a bad day to all bat as badly as any of us have all season.

“It certainly means we still have work to do to finish in the top two.”

Filleigh’s last two games see them travel to relegation-threatened Tiverton & Bickleigh on Saturday before completing their campaign with a September 3 visit of relegated Woodbury.

Honiton took some advantage from Filleigh’s defeat but were unable to force victory at home to Upottery who closed on a bullish 114-8 in reply to 151-9.

Craig Lapping top scored with 61 and Ian Drew hit a useful 26 for the home side as Dan Broom (3-46) and Mark Frost (2-17) claimed wickets.

Upottery were then indebted to skipper Dave Woolacott’s half-century as they closed on 114-8.

Honiton skipper Kev Kelly claimed 3-29 and there were also three wickets for the in-form Adam Holmes.

Kelly said: “It was a tight game, as we expected in a derby. Things are nicely poised in terms of the promotion picture and our fate is very much in our hands.

It’s now a case of which of the challenging team holds their nerves over the final two games.”

Kelly’s men entertain Kilmington this coming Saturday before ending their season with a trip to Babbacombe.

Uplyme and Lyme Regis continued their late surge into the E Division promotion picture with a maximum points win at Tiverton & Bickleigh.

Ashley Caddy struck an unbeaten century to lead his side to 249-7.

Richard Pugsley (3-50) and Paul Rendall (3-72) were the main wicket takers for the Culmstock-based side, who then lost wickets at regular intervals to Steve Batey ( 6-20. Skipper Tim Reed once again top scored for the home side with 36, but that represented over half his sides total as they were bundled out for 66.

Woodbury did something they have only managed in two other games this season – avoiding defeat – as they took a losing draw from their visit to Kenn.

The home side batted first and closed on 205-9, led there by Dave Murfin (51) and Rob Parsons (40). Kevin Miler was once again the pick of the Woodbury bowlers with 3-50. Tim Greenslade then hit 37 and Steve White chipped in with an unbeaten 28 as Woodbury made the draw on 114-8. Rob Fowler (4-34) and Casey Clay (3-12) claimed wickets for Kenn.

There was no play possible at Kilmington where Babbacombe were the scheduled visitors.

Babbacombe will be relegated with Woodbury if Tiverton & Bickleigh manage to bank nine points in their last two games.

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