Devon Cricket Board - Premier round-up: Allin the destroyer in North Devon win

TOM Allin starred with bat and ball as North Devon blew away Bovey Tracey by 76 runs.

In one of only two Premier games to go the distance on a soggy day in Devon, North Devon made 147 for six in 30 overs with Max Curtis top scoring on 39.

North Devon were 41 for four at one stage after an early pummeling from Nathan Roberts (3-29), but couldn’t shift Curtis.

Allin joined Curtis to put on 65 for the fifth wicket – Alling hit 38 off 45 balls – and in the time left Ed Yeo (21no) helped Curtis put on another 34.

Malcolm Lake (6-2-10-1) kept it tight for Bovey in support of Roberts.

Allin, who left Warwickshire last summer after six years on the staff, then steamed in to take six for six in five overs as Boevy’s early order was shot away.

Peter Bradley (26) was fourth out on 46 – Allin had him caught behind – but only Lake (23no) offered much resistance after he went.

Allin finished by dismissing Roberts and Ben Ayres with successive balls.

Matt Westaway wrapped it up for North Devon by prising out tail-enders Jack Thomas and Jonty Woods, also in successive deliveries.

Victory lifts North Devon into fourth place in the latest table going into this Saturday’s game away to bottom side Sandford.

Skipper Westaway said Allin may not be a professional now, but he still plays like one.

“Tom came to the party in a big way with bat and ball,” said Westaway.

“”It was what you would expect from someone who has played cricket professionally on a day when the bowling conditions suited him perfectly.

“Not that long ago we would have crumbled away from 41 for four, but Tom’s stand with Max Curtis turned the game round for us.

“We knew when we bowled we had to hit the ground running so to have Boevy 48 for five was ideal.

“Our bowlers put the ball in good areas and in the field we took every catch and every run out.”

Bovey Tracey captain Andy Fairbairn praised Allin’s contribution, but said his side didn’t help themselves.

“We bnowled too many extras (32) and let them get a few many.

“That said, we should have got a lot closer to the target than we did.

“Tom Allin bowled very well and showed why he was contracted to Warwickshire recently.

“We haven't clicked yet as a side this year but I am confident that we will do soon.”

CORNWOOD slipped closer to the Premier Division drop zone following a six-wicket defeat on run-rate at Exmouth.
Cornwood were bowled out for 69 in the 29^th over of a rain-affected game – Matt Skeemer top scoring on 25 – then Exmouth made 62 for four in reply to win on run-rate.
There was some doubt whether the result would stand as Exmouth only batted for 11.1 overs – and league rules imply an innings has to last 20 overs in a rain-affected game for the result to stand.
The same rule also says the 20-over clause doesn’t apply if a team has been bowled out or knocked off the runs!
Exmouth didn’t pass the original total and there was some dispute whether run-rate could be used as there was no reason not to carry on.
Rain briefly stopped play when Exmouth were 61 for four in reply. One ball – a wide – was all it took to finish the game when the sun came out again.
With confusion reigning, league bosses were consulted yesterday and, after a telephone conference, agreed Exmouth had won the match.
The effect of the ruling on Cornwood was to ‘cost’ them an additional six points for an abandonment.
The Corns only picked up two points at Exmouth, four fewer than Torquay and Sandford below them.
Exmouth go top as early leaders Sidmouth didn’t finish their game, although it would not be a surprise if there is a challenge to the league’s ruling.
Cornwood won’t read too much into Saturday’s defeat as they were stuck in on d damp surface against the best seam attack in Devon.
Matt Webb (4-21) and Trevor Anning (2-14) did most of the early damage – Cornwood were 16 for five after 10 overs – and without Skeemer and Duncan Boase (11) they would have been lucky to make 50.
Cornwood pair Byron Langley (2-19) and Matt Butterworth (2-39) found some juice in the pitch when Exmouth batted, but not enough.

“Unfortunately our batsmen failed to deliver when hanging around was the order of the day,” said Cornwood’s chairman of selectors Nick Goodchild.

“Only Matt Skeemer offered any resistance to a buoyed-up Exmouth attack. “With only 69 posted it against such a strong batting line up, it was always going to be more than a challenge.

“Byron Langley stuck to his task, bowling economically picking up two key wickets for 19 runs.

“Now we are looking forward - not backwards - with two games against high-flying neighbours Plymouth on Thursday and Saturday.”

SANDFORD managed 16 overs at Sidmouth before their Premier Division game was called off.

Ryan Glass top scored with 41 not out in a total of 65 for three. No one else reached double figures.

Sandford are at home to North Devon this Saturday, the club left-hander Neil Bettis left them for during the last close season.

There will be no reunions though as Bettis will miss the match as he is attending the wedding of former North Devon captain Mike Hedden.