This weekend saw the top four teams in the first division play each other as 1st and 2nd placed Plympton and Axminster played each other, while Hatherleigh, placed third, met North Devon.
North Devon traveled to Hatherleigh and won the toss, electing to bat. Having scored over 200 runs in the two previous games, North Devon made little change to their batting order and opened with Eluned Davies and Kate Williams. Once again Eluned (62) and Kate (30) made a great start putting on 70 before the first loss of wicket. Lydia Clements then came in scoring a sound 40 off 31 balls before being caught. North Devon looked well on their way to putting on another double century, but some good fielding kept them to 194 off their 35 overs, Lucy Quick being the stand out bowler, only taking 1 wicket but also only giving away 16 runs off her 5 overs.
Hatherleigh went in to bat and were aware they would have to work hard to score nearly 200, but were keen to complete their innings. North Devon opening bowlers, Ruby Davies and Olivia Kingdom made it hard work for Hatherleigh to score, or look like they would make it to the 35 overs, as they were 25-3. As Holly Presswell came in, their was soon another loss of wicket, bringing Alicia Stebbing to the crease. Together Holly (34 off 44) and Alicia (19) put on a partnership just 3 shy of 50 and steadied the ship. However with Ruby Davies once again coming on to bowl and once again being the pick of the bowlers (3 wickets for 16 runs off 7 overs), Hatherleigh lost further wickets, but achieved their goal of seeing out their overs, scoring 135 with the loss of 7 wickets. Another good win for North Devon as the season comes to a close.
In the top spot meet, Plympton traveled to Axminster, where Axminster won the toss and elected to bat, hoping to repeat the performance against Hatherleigh, where they scored 200. Plympton however had different ideas and with Cait O'Keefe taking 3 wickets for 10 runs off 4 overs and Steph Key taking 4 wickets for 2 runs off 3 overs, Axmnister never really had a chance to get off the ground. With the loss of 8 wickets for 10 runs and Daisy Meadowcroft top scoring on 22, Axminster did not make it past 100 before losing all their wickets. Axminster however were not going to go down without a fight and with 3 quick wickets from Ellen Day 3 wickets for 7 runs of 4 overs, Plympton were 14-3. However with some steadier batting from Olivia Churcher, top scoring on 21, Plympton exceeded the total in 14.1 overs.
This win puts Plympton safely as Champions at the top of the table with one game to spare. North Devon's win at Hatherleigh move them into 2nd position, while Hatherleigh and Axminster both stand on 100 points in third.
