- 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
SKIPPER Sam Smith lashed a century and kept going to reach 135 as Heathcoat ended their comeback season in the Premier Division with a whopping 228-run win over neighbours Sandford.
The two sides were elevated together last season – Heathcoat as A Division champs, Sandford as their runners-up – but this season their paths have diverged.
Sandford have been resigned for some weeks to an immediate return to the A Division, which was their fate when they last passed this way in 2012.
Heathcoat had a patchy first half to the season – two wins in nine games – but after the turn won six out nine to finish well clear of the danger end.
South African pro Qaasim Adams nailed four Premier Division tons in the season – no batter has done that before since 18-game summers were introduced in 1999 – to help Heathcoat finish 71 points clear of the second relegation place.
Adams, who topped the Premier averages with 653 runs at 59.36, wasn’t around on Saturday as he had been summoned home a week early to start pre-season training.
With Smith smashing it around, he hit 12 fours and three sixes on the way to his 135, Heathcoat barely missed their average topper.
Smith shared in stands of 44 with Dylan Penberthy (24), 53 with Dan Powell (18), 29 with Will Thompson (13) and a big one of 119 with Ned Menheneott.
Menheneott got to exactly 50 then was bowled by Laundre van Wyk (3-71).
Smith went four runs later at 255 for six, again to van Wyk.
Sandford were hit by a couple of late cry-offs, which forced them to haul left-arm spinner Richard Coupe out of retirement to make up the numbers.
A slightly depleted side was all out for 65 with only Richard Tucker (18) and Ryan Glass (12) reaching double figures.
Veteran seamer Paul Elliott bowled unchanged for 10 overs to take four for 53.
Jamie Drew took four for seven from seven – including the scalp of Sandford batter Adrian Small for one.
Small only needed five runs on Saturday to reach a career total of 9,000 in Devon League 1st XI cricket. That milestone will have to wait until next season now.
Jack Menheneott wrapped things up by taking the last two wickets.