North Devon League Week 11
Tables

THERE are new outright leaders of the First Division after Lynton & Lynmouth went down in a game of 668 runs at the Valley of the Rocks whilst Heathcoat beat Bideford and so the Knightshayes men are clear at the top of what is looking increasingly like being the closest, and widest, title race in many years.

Heathcoat posted a healthy total of 244 with runs down the order from Pete Randerson (35), Chris Parkes (37), Q Adams (27) and Matt Parkes (32no) with John Weeks the most successful of the visiting bowlers with 3-48. Andy Webbe then hit 52 and Ian Hatter 26 but it was Qassim Adams who bowled his side into clear top spot with a superb 7-43 from just 8.5 overs.

The run fest was at Lynton & Lynmouth where the superb track – what a credit to Groundsman Brian Hobbs – produced 668 runs. Batting first the home side sailed past 300 thanks to runs from Dan Proctor (100), Mark Jones (62), Lloyd Ali (49), Ben Pitkin (38no) and Graham Fitt (39). Proctor had gone to the wicket at number five and plundered eight 6’s and nine 4’s to net his century. Mike Cashmore (3-50), Steve Oliver (2-66) and Paul Tuson (2-55) were the wicket takers as the games first innings eventually came to an end on 333-7. Undaunted by such a big ask Victoria Park promoted Ilfracombe Town goal keeper Steve Oliver to the opening slot and he got the run chase underway with a brisk 61 before it became the Bettis show. Mark Bettis (117), Neil Bettis (26) and Colin Bettis (42) all chipped in before Tom Anderson smashed a huge six to seal a wonderful victory with still two complete overs to go. What made the victory all the more impressive was that visiting side played throughout with ten men!

Filleigh did their title prospects no harm by inflicting more misery on Bradninch although the Mid Devon side did see a return to form of Richard Foan. The former Sandford and Devon player has had a lean time of things since returning to his cricketing ‘home’ at Bradninch and so a knock of 97 might just be the start of something much better for the all rounder. However the Foan effort was in a losing cause as Filleigh claimed a 61 run win. The home side batted first and closed on 217-8 with James Hill hitting an unbeaten 55 and Andy Lockhead also struck a half century. Chris Acton claimed 4-38 and his son, skipper Eliot Acton bagged a brace for Bradninch who needed somebody to stay with Foan to effect a successful ruin chase. Sadly for the visitors Foan was eventually caught three short of a ton and no one else stayed around too long and so the reply floundered on 156.

North Devon recorded a 46 run win at Newton Tracey after posting an imposing 278-6. Jason Hayes (77) and Matt Tyers (64no) led the visitors batting whilst Rob Gear, Simon Gear and Steve Bater, each bagged a brace of wickets. The home side made a good fist of the run chase especially whilst Ian Gear was at the wicket but when he fell for 102 the reply petered out and was done and dusted with 232 on the board. Rob Gear chipped in with 35 whilst Hayes and Stuart Rhodes each claimed three wicket hauls for North Devon who, even though they have already suffered three defeats, cannot yet be discounted from the race for the title.

Division Two

There was an amazing outcome at Beaford where the home side had beaten visitors Shobrooke Park by ten wickets before the pavilion clock had registered 3:15pm!

The Mid Devon side arrived with just ten players and although they made a reasonable start – they were 32-2, they promptly lost the next seven wickets without a single run being added to the total which saw them end 32 all out in 18 overs. Mark Watkins (15) was the only batsman to get too many runs – there were 17 extras, and there were seven ducks whilst the home fielders also had sufficient time to drop four catches! Mark Lake returned the mighty impressive figures of 5-5 from 4 overs and Daniel Lane took 2-3 and then Mark Lake (29no) and Ali McMillan (6no) had the game all done and dusted before most of the teams playing on the afternoon had stopped for a drinks break! Beaford’s Geoff Lake, who played in the game said: “I have honestly never seen anything quite like that before.”

Bratton Fleming climbed two places in to a top three slot when they won their Saturday game against bottom of the table Filleigh II who they beat by a margin of just three runs after a thrilling game. Bratton Fleming batted first and laboured to 146 as Bradley Gill claimed a brace but then the visitors looked set to whip out Filleigh. Number nine bat Baljit Kalsi had other ideas striking a magnificent unbeaten 40 and with Sebastian Le Barght also hitting 40 it became a close run thing only for the reply to just fall short on 143-9. Stevie Kingdom took 3-22 for Bratton Fleming.

Barnstaple & Pilton beat Filleigh II by 91 runs with a good all round performance. Michael Paine led the batting with 62 and there were contributions from Matt Clarke (43) and Steve Wheatley (23) in a home total of 215. Rob Collier took 4-46 and Harvey James (2-9) for the visitors who were then bowled out for 124. Ben Mogford top scored with 33, Rob Collier hit 24 and James March got 14 whilst Mark Metters (3-18) and a George McEndoo saw Barum to victory.

Holsworthy were 65 run winners at Hatherleigh thanks to the efforts of Andrew Layton (89) and John Tidball (92) who led their side to 240 and then Andrew Butler (4-22) and James Long (3-36) combined to dismiss the hosts for 175. Andrew Fishleigh top scored with 30 for the hosts, he had earlier taken 3-21, but only Ryan Davies with 20 also made much of a contribution.

Division Three

Incorrigibles march on at the top after a seventh win of the season to maintain their 100% record. Andy Hearn marked his first start with 55 to guide his new team to 190. Chris Kelmere chipped in with 25 whilst Colin Welch (4-36) and Steve Kingdom (3-35) took wickets and then the Witheridge side bundled the hosts out for 136 as only Patrick Crane (21), Rob Hunt (20) and Paddy Dartnoll (20) could muster many runs between them.

Shebbear were nine wicket winners at home to Westleigh and once again Martin Bray was in red hot form. The visitors batted first and scored 166 led, not for the first time, by a splendid knock of 84 from James Ford. Andy Bryan (4-22) and Ollie Wicket (3-47) did the damage with the ball before Bray hit 68 before being the only home wicket to fall. Mike Furber (51no) and Kyle Franklin (37no) saw Shebbear to the win.

Bude claimed a thrilling last over win at Ilfracombe where the home side had been bowled out for 208. Jamie Sutton (37), Dave Brearley (36) and Nathan Jones (34), were the main run providers for the home side as Ryan Curtis (4-49) and Sam Hockin (4-20) combined for Bude and the visitors timed the run chase to perfection getting home in the final over thanks to another fluent knock from Sam Hockin (61no). At 111-7 Ilfracombe fancied their chances but then Craig Thomas (41no) and Ryan Curtis (42no) got together and saw Bude to victory. Jones claimed 3-37 for the home side to add to his earlier runs.

Sandford II completed the trio of top three victories as they saw off visiting Barnstaple & Pilton II thanks to an impressive return to the game from Pete Glass. The night before the game Sandford were struggling to put together a full XI and an 11.30pm call to Glass got a favourable answer. Glass has not played for a season and a half but cracked a magnificent unbeaten century to lead the Creedy Park men to a seven wicket win. Earlier Barum had been restricted to 168-9 with Dave Beer top scoring with 49. There was an impressive show from 14 year old leg spinner Felix Stevenson who claimed 1-30 from nine exceptional overs. His slightly older brother Ollie also bowled a tidy spell of nine overs that, whilst not bringing him a wicket, only yielded 30 runs. Mike Canning was the main wicket taker with 4-34. Post tea it was very much the Pete Glass show as he picked out every spot of the Creedy Park pitch to strike his richly deserved century.

Division Four

Mike Hedden hit an unbeaten 74 and Mike Beer chipped in with 72 as Weare Giffard maintained their leadership. 259 was far too many for hosts North Devon II who were then bowled out for 91.

John Wainwright, who had earlier taken three wickets for the Instow men, put up one of the longest runs of resistance with an unbeaten 18 and it was Joe Kelly who hit the home side highest score of 22 – he also had a couple of wickets pre tea – but James Maine (4-36), Gary Jones (3-3) and Ian Jury (2-18) saw to it that the mornings leaders stayed top.

Bideford II brushed aside visiting Kelseymen, beating them by nine wickets with something to spare. Only Ross Burbidge (40), Mark Johnson, who hit 20 from the number eleven slot, and Walid Iqbal (20), offered much resistance to the home bowlers in a total of 167 all out. Martin Stewart (3-19), Mike Wigley (3-30), Dave Norris (2-19) and Darren Hart (2-31), claimed wickets for Bideford who then lost Dave Norris for a duck before Alan Withecombe (52no) and skipper Hart (82no) quite literally, raced to victory. Withecombe faced 55 balls for his half century whilst Hart received only 60 deliveries for his 82 and the win was sealed in just 22 overs.

Lynton & Lynmouth II proved too strong for a weaker than usual Victoria Park II who were restricted to 165-7. Mark Stevens (58) and Tim Lane (28) put on 90 for the 4^th wicket but there after wickets fell at regular intervals as Nick Constable (2-17), Connor Constable (2-24) and Pete Druce (2-3), cleaned up. The Druce slammed 93 and Lewis Constable hit 34 as the visitors sailed to an eight wicket win.

Division Five

Belstone remain 100% after another win. They defeated Barnstaple & Pilton III in a Saturday fixture and for the second time this season skipper Phil Woods cracked a ton.

The new boy’s captain has taken a liking to his stints at the wicket in North Devon Sunday League cricket for in two outings now he has two hundreds to his name! Barum were bowled out for 186 by Jonathan Parsons (3-27) and Philip Dennis (2-32) and then Woods stroked a superb 116 and Pete Harlow hit 30 in a six wicket victory.

Nomansland were 90 run winners at bottom of the table Bishops Nympton after scoring 180-6 led by Henry Hayden’s unbeaten 78 and a half century from Gary Say. Then Chris Firth took four wickets and Josh Clare bagged a brace as the hosts were bundled out for 90.

Bude II went down by six wickets at Petrockstowe despite another fine all round effort by skipper Mike Taylor. The Bude captain top scored with 28 and Sam King chipped in with 14 as Rob Luxton claimed 4-14 in a visitor’s total of 105, passed for the loss of just four wickets by the home side. Twelve year old Ryan Haywood took 1-10 for Bude.

Division One

Lynton & Lynmouth 333-7 (D Proctor 100, M Jones 62, L Ali 49, G Fitt 39, B Pitkin 38no; M Cashmore 3-50, P Tuson 2-55, S Oliver 2-66), Victoria Park 335-5 (M Bettis 117, S Oliver 61, C Bettis 40, N Bettis 20, T Anderson 16no). Victoria Park (20pts) bt Lynton & Lynmouth (5) by 5 wkts.

Filleigh 217-8 (J Hill 55no, T Lockhead 50; C Acton 4-38, E Acton 2-65), Bradninch 156 (R Foan 97; J Palmer 3-36, J Hickman 3-20). Filleigh (20pts) bt Bradninch (6) by 61 runs.

Heathcoat 244 ( C Parkes 37, P Randerson 35, M Parkes 32no; J Weeks 3-48), Bideford 162 (A Webbe 52, I Hatter 26; Q Adams 7-43). Heathcoat (20pts) bt Bideford (4) by 82 runs.

North Devon 278-6 (J Hayes 77, M Tyers 64no: R Gear 2-34, S Gear 2-32, S Bater 2-44), Newton Tracey 232 (I Gear 102, R Gear 35; S Rhodes 3-32, J Hayes 3-47). North Devon (20pts) bt Newton Tracey (8) by 46 runs.

Division Two

Bratton Fleming 146, Filleigh II 143-9 (B Kalsi 40, S Le Barghe 40). Bratton Fleming (20pts) bt Filleigh II (10) by 3 runs. – match played on Saturday.

Shobrooke Park 32 (M Watkins 15, M Blakeley 3, extras 17; M Lake 5-5, D Lane 2-3, A Crisp 1-9, A James 1-13). Beaford 34-0 (M Lake 29no, A McMillan 6no). Beaford (20pts) bt Shobrooke Park (0) by 10 wkts.

Barnstaple & Pilton 215 (M Paine 62, M Clarke 43, S Wheatley 23; R Collier 4-46, H James 2-9), Filleigh II 124 (B Mogford 33, R Collier 24; M Metters 3-18, G McEndoo 2-16). Barnstaple & Pilton (20pts) bt Filleigh II (4) by 89 runs.

Holsworthy 240 (J Tidball 82, A Layton 89; A Fishleigh 3-21), Hatherleigh 175 (A Fishleigh 30, R Davies 20; A Butler 4-22, J Long 3-36). Holsworthy (20pts) bt Hatherleigh (6) by 65 runs.

Division Three

Westleigh 166 (J Ford 84; A Bryan 4-232, O Wicket 3-47), Shebbear 167-1 (M Bray 68, M Furber 51no, K Franklin 37no). Shebbear (20pts) bt Westleigh (1) by 9 wkts.

Ilfracombe 208 (J Sutton 37, D Brearley 36, N Jones 34; S Hockin 4-20, R Curtis 4-49), Bude 209-7 (S Hockin 61, C Thomas 41no, R Curtis 42no). Bude (20pts) bt Ilfracombe (7) by 3 wkts.

Incorrigibles 190 (A Hearn 55, C Kelmere 25; C Welch 4-36, S Kingdom 3-35), Bratton Fleming 136 (P Crane 21, R Hunt 20, P Dartnoll 20; P Rendle 2-19, R Bowden 2-38, C Kelmere 2-31, J Hope 2-22). Incorrigibles (20pts) bt Bratton Fleming (6) by 54 runs.

Barnstaple & Pilton II 168-9 (D Beer 49; M Canning 4-34, P Rowe 1-16, F Stevenson 1-30), Sandford II 171-3 (P Glass 100no). Sandford II (20pts) bt Barnstaple & Pilton II (3) by 7 wkts.

Division Four

Kelseymen 167 (R Burbidge 40, W Iqbal 26, M Johnson 20; M Stewart 3-19, M Wigley 3-30, D Hart 2-31), Bideford II 170-1 (D Hart 82no, A Withecombe 52no). Bideford II (20pts) bt Kelseymen (1) by 9 wkts.

Weare Giffard 259 (M Hedden 74no, M Beer 72; J Wainwright 3-31, J Kelly 2-32), North Devon III 91 (J Kelly 22, J Wainwright 18no; J Maine 4-36, G Jones 3-3, I Jury 2-18). Weare Giffard (20pts) bt North Devon III (0) by 165 runs.

Victoria Park II 165-7 (M Stevens 58, T Lane 28; N Constable 2-17, P Druce 2-30, C Constable 2-24), Lynton & Lynmouth II 166-2 (P Druce 93, L Constable 34; M Bath 1-25, A Farrant 1-35). Lynton & Lynmouth II (20pts) bt Victoria Park II (2) by 8 wkts.

Division Five

Barnstaple & Pilton III 186 (J Chugg 46; J Parsons 3-27, P Dennis 2-32), Belstone 188-4 ( P Woods 116, P Harlow 30; Hawes 2-31). Belstone (20pts) bt Barnstaple & Pilton III (4) by 6 wkts – game played Saturday.

Bude II 105 (M Taylor 28, S King 14; R Luxton 4-14), Petrockstowe 106-4 (P Tremlain 37, O Scantlebury 34; M Taylor 2-13). Petrockstowe (20pts) bt Bude II 4) by 6 wkts.

Nomansland 170 (G Haydon 78no, G Say 52), Bishops Nympton 90 – no other details received. Nomansland (20pts) bt Bishops Nympton (2) by 80 runs.