- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
BIDEFORD captain James Ford said he had never seen anything like the battering handed out to his bowlers by Budleigh Salteron’s Zimbabwean professional Cephas Zhuwao.
Zhuwao, a former Zimbabwean international, larruped 159 not out off 103 balls with 12 fours and 14 sixes in the mixer.
Budleigh closed on 296 for five, which would have been impressive in a 50-over game – but this one had been slimmed down to 39-a-side due to a rain break.
Bideford were 233 for seven when their overs an ran out – a respectable effort but not enough to avoid a 63-run defeat.
At the height of the carnage, Zhuwao belted nine consecutive sixes across two overs.
Dan Barratt bore the brunt of it – his only over cost 31 runs – and Jame Lathwell went for 32 in two overs.
“I have played Devon League cricket for 27 years and haven't seen an innings like Zhuwao’s,” said Ford.
“It was absolutely brutal - some of the biggest sixes seen at Westward Ho!
“We had a rain break then had to go back out and bowl 2.5 overs in which he went from 91 to 157.”
“It was an innings of pure class and one I have never seen in the Devon League,” said Budleigh skipper Lloyd White.
“Hitting nine sixes in a row, clean as a whistle takes some doing.
“He is a very special cricketer.”
Ford said Zhuwao’s late blast was the difference between the teams, which wasn’t that wide everywhere else.
“Good signs for us were we got maximum batting points and proved to ourselves we have the ability to challenge in every game for the rest of the season.”
White (69) and Andy Procter (21) were the supporting acts to before Zhuwao started bullying the bowling.
In a stand of 97 for the third wicket with the powerful left-hander, White made 35.
Ben Carter stood at one end during an 104-run partnership for the fifth wicket and made 17.
Bideford gave it a go and put early runs on the board through Matt Shepherd (22) and Josh Roach (24).
Skipper Ford went in at 58 for three and batted himself back to form with an unbeaten 57.
Paul Heard top scored with 60 and shared a stand of 106 for the fifth wicket with his captain.
White said he was impressed by Bideford and predicted they won’t be bottom of the table for much longer.
“Based on their performance, Bideford do not deserve to be towards the bottom of the table.
“They have a good bunch of lads there and it won’t be long until it all clicks into place for them.”
While Zhuwao will inevitably hog the headlines, White said there were other useful contributions.
“Sid Fereday bowled with a old head on young shoulders and will go far in the game,” said White.
“He has a super attitude which some of the other young Otters should look to replicate.”