LEE Hooper blazed his way into the Devon League record books with a double century for Halberton & Sampford Peverell in their win over Axminster.
Hooper clouted the Axminster attack for an unbeaten 239 in H&SP’s total of 368 for one in 45 overs.
Hooper hit 32 fours and 11 sixes from 157 balls faced and shared in stands of 187 with Andy Blake – he made 61 – and another of 181 with Joe Parkinson (59no).
Axminster skipper Paul Miller tried seven bowlers with little or no success. Dave Hayball – nine overs for 23 runs – was relatively untraumatised by the experience of bowling to Hooper.
Hooper’s score was a new record for any of the D Divisions past or present in the Devon League. The old East best was Jason Parr’s 222 not out for Tiverton against Chardstock in 2015.
Ian Sutton of Clyst Hydon held the pre-regionalisation record of 154, which he scored twice in 2013 against H&SP and Uplyme.
Axminster had a real crack at the chase, making 342 for six. Miller made 130 and Sam Farrow had 91,
A stand of 201 for the third wicket between Miller and Farrow was topped up by Max Felgate (51).
Lowly Tiverton were on the wrong end of a 199-run hiding when they met Upottery.
Matt Broom, Rob Tasker and Ryan Pullman all made half-centuries in Upottery’s 261 all out – Peter Rendle took five for 58
Jamie Mitcham (3-22) and Paul Wakefield (4-17) skittled Tiverton for 62.
Kentisbeare ended their season with a workmanlike four-wicket win over Woodbury & Newton St Cyres.
Josh Farley had three wickets and there were two each for Rich Norman and Andy Chave as W&SN were bowled out for 100. Keeper Scott Chappell took three catches and a stumping.
Martyn Howe stroked 37 as Kents chased to win.
Barnstaple & Pilton were pipped on the line for the D East title when Chardstock beat them by four wickets to go past them on the last day.
Chardstock were only three points behind the long-term leaders going into the final round of fixtures so it really was winner takes all.
Barnstaple & Pilton captain Steve Moore must have feared his side didn’t have enough runs on the board after they were bowled out for 149 with two balls to go – Lee Cole (46) and Brady Saunders (32) having the only scores of note.
There were two wickets each for Rob Hutchings and Gary Larcombe – and three run-outs.
An asking rate of barely three an over meant Chardstock were under little or no pressure. Larcombe (23) got them started, Ed Brown (25), Tom Warren (32) and Steve Allsopp (25no) conspired to clinch the win.
For Barum, top of the table virtually all season, missing out on the title on the last day will have been a disappointment.
Skipper Moore will no doubt wonder what might have been had the weather been kinder? Chardstock lost two games to rain and B&P three.
Even so Moore had no complaints. "Chardstock are a very good side," said Moore.
Moore should be pleased at the progress the side made this season, winning 13 out of 15 completed games. After being relegated last season with only four wins, that’s a clear improvement.
"We have had a good season and hope to go one better next year," said the B&P captain
