THERE were some outstanding performances in the first week of competitive cricket in the North Devon League. led by an astonishing innings by Bideford’s Tom Brend. 

Brend’s innings of 273 not out contained 28 fours and 14 sixes, as Bideford racked up 427 for one against Filleigh on the Westward Ho! Julian Hayter and Jim Keats both hit half-centuries. 

Brend put on 115 in 13 overs with Hayter (52) and 312 in 27 with Keats (53).

Filleigh reached a respectable 200 for six in reply. Jas Kalsi (61) and Chris Cullen (74) put on 110 for the first wicket.

Hatherleigh saw off Newton Tracey by 67 runs in Division One. Kian Burns’ 67 off 32 balls led Hatherleigh to an all-out total of 224. Veteran seamer Richard Screech was the bowling star, with five for 41. 

Newton totalled 157 in reply. Oliver Symons top scored with 47. Pick of the bowling for Hatherleigh was evergreen Richard Tidball (3-25).

Elsewhere, Bratton Fleming conceded their fixture at Westleigh.

Braunton saw off Newton Tracey II at the Lawn in a Division Three match-up.

Newton scored 213 for nine and on a day for veterans, Bill Soby top scored with 54. 

Braunton knocked-off the runs for the loss of four wickets thanks largely to Sam Reddick hitting an unbeaten 137.

There was a stunning conclusion at Barnstaple and Pilton in their friendly with Ilfracombe. 

Ilfracombe, chasing 194, needed one run from the last over, with four wickets in hand. 

Former Ilfracombe skipper Jamie Sutton was given the ball and promptly performed the hat trick with the first three balls!

Last man Graham Garner survived being dropped first ball to hit the final ball of the game for the match-winning boundary.