Devon Cricket Board - Second successive promotion for Bideford

Second successive promotion for Bideford

BIDEFORD sealed promotion for the second year running when they defeated Thorverton by 69 runs.
James Ford’s men went up as C Division champions last season. This time round they are runners-up to Tavistock.
It is mission accomplished for skipper James Ford, who said at the start of last season he intended being in the A Division within two years.
“We are very much looking forward to next season, our aim being to establish ourselves as an A Division club,” said Ford.
Opener Josh Roach top scored for Bideford with 87 in a total of 222 for seven.
Roach and Matt Allin (32) put on 70 for the first wicket then Roach carried on accumulating with James Ford (22) as Bideford reached 126 for two.
Thorverton bowled their way back into the game with the two Jakes – Choules (2-37) and Crouch (2-40) getting into the middle order.
Aussie Dan Beatty (2-46) accounted for Paul Heard and Roach as Bideford slowed to 182 for seven with four overs to go.
Fred King (28no) and Alex Hannam (11no) upped the tempo in the final overs, adding 40 unbroken.

Thors were all out for 153 in reply – and didn’t look like getting that many after an early battering that left them 19 for four in the seventh over.

Baldock (29) and Beatty (60) stopped the side with a stand of 62 for the fifth wicket, but once Josh King (2-38) fired out Baldock there was a gradual decline.

Beatty was last man out after a patient two hours and seven minutes – spun out by the first ball from Chris Luxton.

There were two wickets each for Martin Stewart and the King brothers – Josh and Fred.

“Matt Allin and Josh Roach batted superbly against lively bowling on a lively pitch and 222 looked a good score,” said Ford.

“Not for the first time this season our bowlers gave nothing away, only Beatty looking comfortable.”

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