- 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
BUDLEIGH Salterton skipper Joel Murphy hopes the opening day win over Lewdown won’t set the tone for the season.
Budleigh scraped a four-run win over divisional new faces Lewdown, who fell five runs short chasing 216 to win.
“A win is a win and I will take them no matter how ugly they are,” said Murphy, whose side go to Chudleigh this Saturday.
Budleigh cobbled together 215 for eight in their 50 overs – former Somerset player Ben Phillips chiseling out a half-century.
Elliot Rice made 36 – he and Rob Craze (23) added 41 for the second wicket – then Lloyd Murrin (23) joined Phillips to put on 44 for the seventh wicket.
Murphy (17no) and Lloyd Loman (16no) conjured a valuable 37 unbroken in the final five overs.
Lewdown lost South African run machine Marco Marais second ball for four – he topped 1500 league runs last season – but stayed in the hunt thanks to Dave Ball and skipper Harry Geering.
When Geering was dismissed by Murrin for 64, his stand with Ball had produced 125 runs for the third wicket.
Ball went on to reach 102 not out, but without Geering the asking rate climbed fractionally out of reach and eight to win off the last over proved a few too many.
There was a wicket each for Murrin, James Burke and Aussie newcomer Luke Peterson.
Phillips showed his class in the field with a couple of run outs.
“Fifteen overs out we were not looking favourites to win,” said Murphy.
“Geering batted really well and Lloyd Murrin getting him out was key for us.
“The asking rate started to creep up just a little and our experience in the Premier of tight situations helped us.
“Being able to put out a bowling attack with five Premier-standard bowlers including Ben Phillips also worked in our favour.”
Budleigh will be without all-rounder James Burke, who pulled a groin muscle playing for Devon against Cornwall and has been pulled out by Somerset, where he is under contract.