By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

JACK Moore smashed his way into the Premier Division record books with a whirlwind 166 for North Devon in their 108-run win at Hatherleigh.

The top-against-bottom confrontation – North Devon are top, Hatherleigh are not – was always likely to have one outcome.

What no one expected was for 20-year-old Moore, to light the blue touchpaper and embark on a one-man firework show.

Moore, who went in at 35 for two, set the tone by belting the second ball he faced from Kagiso Rapulana for six. He reached 50 off 36 deliveries and 13 balls later was 100 not out.,

Two brutal overs brought Moore 25 and 23 off Charlie Presswell and Mark Lake respectively. Presswell was deposited over the rope for four successive sixes.

The runs kept on coming with the 150 mark passed 28 balls later. 

Moore was finally dismissed by Eddie Jones, who had him caught at deep mid-wicket. He faced 82 balls in total and dealt largely in boundaries. There were 18 sixes – that a century (108) in its own right – and six fours.

Moore said when he went out to bat the Hatherleigh bowlers were in the ascendency and he wanted to even things up.

“The wicket was doing a little bit so I just took the positive approach and tried to put the pressure back on the bowler,” said Moore.

“Luckily it came off and it was nice to contribute to an excellent win for us.”

Lake, the Hatherleigh captain, said Moore’s innings would live long in the memory of anyone who played in the game or watched it.

“You just have to hold your hands up say Jack Moore played the best innings I've seen at Hatherleigh in terms of clean hitting,” said Lake.

“One a damp wicket he got North Devon to a score which was a 100 above par.”

“Looking at the deck, and batting first, we were initially thinking 180-odd would be a tricky score to chase, but Jack had other ideas and struck the ball cleanly and consistently, “ said Popham.

“Very few players have the talent to play an innings like that and it will be spoken about for a long time. 

“He was well supported by Jack Whittaker, James Tyson and isaac Windley. 

Moore’s career best knock remains the double hundred he scored for Devon under-17s against Worcester at Sandford in 2018.

Only one batsman in Devon League history has scored a quicker ton than Moore and he was also a North Devon player.

Back in 2014 Jamie Overton was still establishing himself in the First Class game with Somerset and appearing regularly in the DCL for North Devon.

On the last day of that season Overton destroyed the Sidmouth bowling when he battered their bowling for 142 from just 55 balls.

Overton hit 13 sixes and 12 fours going from 0-50 in 20 balls, 50-100 in another 20 and 100 to 142 in 15.

Dan Bowser (23), Jack Whittaker (26) and Isaac Windley (37) all contributed to North Devon totalling 304 for eight in their 50 overs.

Darren Butler (4-38) did early damage which was followed up by Fred King (2-15) and Will Popham (2-26) as Hatherleigh were all out in reply for 196.

An uber-early finish appeared on the cards when Hatherleigh were 89 for six with Rob Fishleigh (31) and Rapulana (36) both long gone.

Skipper Lake (44) and Presswell (30) detained North Devon longer than anticipated while adding 61 for the ninth wicket.

“Hatherleigh battled hard with the bat, but Darren Butler and young Will Popham were the stand outs with the ball, along with Fred King who again got some important breakthroughs to get us going,” said Popham.

North Devon's Fred King flings down a delivery in his side's win at Hatherleigh. Nano seconds later batsman Rob Cockwill was on his way leg before wicket | Photo: Fiona Tyson