Devon Cricket Board - F Division: Cherries stoned by 209 runs

F Division: Cherries stoned by 209 runs

F Division

TOPSHAM St James march on at the top of the F Division after a whopping 209-run win at Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Tom Richardson, who recently turned 15, who stole the show with opening partner Nick Horne.

The pair put on 195 for starters to set a new Saints’ record for first wicket.

Horne went for 79 but young Richardson continued to stroke the ball to all parts of the ground before finally being dismissed for 143 in an imposing total of 310 for seven.

While runs flowed at one end, Paul Brierley produced excellent figures of 4-59 for the Cherries.

The Cherries were bowled out for 101 in reply. James Gordon (25) and skipper Ben Coe (24) were the only home batsmen to make headway as stand-in skipper Adrian Miller bagged himself five for 14.

Miller was skippering the side in the absence of first, the holidaying Ross Treleaven.

Shaldon powered to a maximum-points victory at Landspeed Meadow where they bowled hosts Cullompton out for 152 and then sprinted to an eight-wicket victory.

Chris Whitehead, who originates from Bolton and joined up with Shaldon a couple of weeks ago, was the chief architect with a six-for-38 haul.

Dave Percy top scored with 34 for the Mid Devon men, who also had a gritty knock from Darren Paul (26).

Seamus McKenna (61no) and Mark Couch (36no) led their side to victory after some early runs from Todd Bullman (29).

Cully skipper Craig Hawkins said: “We gave it our best shot and I have no complaints.

“The biggest plus for us on the day was the splendid performance of another of our emerging colts, 15-year-old Darren Paul, who batted with real maturity.

It’s testament to our very youth system here at Cullompton that we can continue to bring these colts through into the 1st XI and they always seem to produce the goods.”

Spare a thought for Hemyock’s John Hurley, left high and dry unbeaten on 98 as his side closed on 194-7 in the Culm Valley derby at neighbouring Culmstock.

There was some consolation for Hurley as he and Derek Hart set a new league record for the eighth wicket in the game.

At 80-7 the visitors were in all sorts of trouble, then Hart (44no) joined Hurley and the pair put on 114 for the unbroken eighth wicket.

The previous F Division best was the 90 put on by Pete Chislett and Matt Wonnacott for Kenn against Honiton in 2010.

Tom Martin was the pick of the home bowlers with 4-35. Spencer Popham then hit 105 to lead Culmstock to a six-wicket win. Will Gingell (29) and Oliver Rowe (28) also chipped in.

Ben Fuzzard claimed three wicket for just seven runs as Exeter Civil Service were bowled out for 99 at Yarcombe.

Dan Copp and Mike Barnes both bagged a brace of wickets for the home side who were then led to a straight forward seven-wicket win by Jonathan Rich (34) and an unbeaten 28 from skipper Nigel Parris.

Kingskerswell breezed to a 96-run win over Chelston in the South Devon derby at Torre Valley North.

Kerswell were bowled out for 200 off the last ball of the 45th over. A stand of 111 between Aron Owen (58) and Erik Gregersen (44) for the fourth wicket helped the villagers towards maximum batting points.

Paul Mitchell (32no) saw Kerswell get to the five batting points they wanted to keep their slim promotion hopes alive.

Kerswell are fifth in the table on 97 points, 42 behind second-placed Shaldon and 44 adrift of leaders Topsham.

Phil Hunt with 3-20 off 12 overs and Roy Pentice with 4-61 were the pick of the Chelston bowlers.

Chelston’s reply got off to the worst possible start when Chris Mabbutt had his off stump removed by Steve Lacey. It was Lacey’s first game since mid-May, having undergone a hernia operation.

It was a terrific comeback for Lacey, who ended up with five for eight in nine overs – all bowled.

A gallant 53 from Mark Hurlestone was the only innings of note from the home side as their was no answer to Lacey, Gregersen with 4-21 off 14 and Paul Harding 1-9 off 10.

Chelston were all out in the 43rd over for 104.

Gracious Kerswell skipper Mitchell said the win may have looked easy but was anything but.

“We had to work hard for runs and wickets as Chelston did not make it easy for us,” said Mitchell.

“Aron and Erik batted superbly and were well supported.

“Steve Lacey was the Steve Lacey of old. Although he understandably tired he bowled as well as I have ever seen.

“Erik didn’t have much luck from the sea front end, but made the pitch talk from the school end.

We will keep plugging away now and hope one of the top two slip up. We also have them both to play.

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