HATHERLEIGH march on at the top of the A Division after routing Chudleigh by 192 runs.
That’s seven wins on the trot for Mark Lake’s team and just three dropped points so far.
With second-placed Sandford losing again – Plympton turned them over in a last-over finish – Hatherleigh are now 33 points clear at the top.
Chudleigh drop to third from bottom, 15 points clear of Brixham in the second relegation place.
Matt Thomas went through 350 Devon League runs for the season so far in Hatherleigh’s hefty total of 329 for six with 93.
An opening stand of 151 with Rob Fishleigh (69) was just the start of it for Hatherleigh.
Fishleigh and Gareth Tidball (32) totted up 40 for the second wicket, priming the pumps for a further assault.
Charlie Nielson flogged 43 off 35 balls – three sixes, three fours – and Jack Cherrington had six fours and a six in 40 not out off 16 balls.
Chudleigh’s bowlers all took some stick, although Matt Heather had a couple of wickets as compensation for going at nearly nine an over.
Chudleigh were all out for 137 in reply – Thomas capping a man-of-the-match performance with a four-wicket haul.
Kiwi Thomas has 25 wickets for the season already – and it’s not reached halfway yet.
Jabez Weale (1-18) and Charlie Nielson (3-23) got the openers out, Thomas (4-16) got into the middle order and Nileson returned to pick of a couple of stragglers.
After Grant Stone (26) and Heather (29) were out of the way, Chudleigh runs dried up until Rob Cooke (34no) went in at number nine.
Mark Lake, the Hatherleigh captain, said: “It was another very good performance and didn't give them a sniff of winning.
“The lads were very good with the bat and punished every bad ball, led with both bat and ball by Matt Thomas, who was superb.
“It was a real team effort with everyone contributing through out the game.”
