The Tolchards Devon Women’s Cricket League reaches the halfway stage of the 2026 season this weekend, with the Division One title race perfectly poised.

North Devon and Paignton sit level at the top of the table on 81 points, while Exeter are just a single point further back in third, setting up what promises to be a thrilling second half of the campaign. Paignton are chasing a first-ever Division One title, North Devon are aiming to go one better after finishing runners-up in both 2024 and 2025, and Exeter are looking to reclaim the championship they last lifted in 2024.

Defending champions Plymouth remain firmly in the hunt despite two defeats and sit on 66 points, while at the opposite end of the table Cornwood (24 points) and Exmouth (23 points) are locked in an equally important battle to preserve their Division One status.

With every point becoming increasingly valuable at both ends of the table, Matchweek 6 should provide more clues as to who will be lifting the trophy come September. 

 

Paignton v Plymouth

 

League leaders Paignton welcome reigning champions Plymouth to the seaside in what could prove to be the standout fixture of the weekend.

Paignton have enjoyed an outstanding first half of the season and continue their pursuit of a maiden Division One title. Their batting line-up is spearheaded by Ella Gill, who arrives in fine form after scoring a superb century against Cornwood last weekend, and they’ll be eager to reverse the result from April when Plymouth came out on top in the reverse fixture.

Paignton management said: “Plymouth beat us twice last year and once this season, so it would be nice to get one over on them this time round. We are pretty close to full strength now and last week’s stand-in captain Katie Harman is happy with her 100% win record for the season when in charge.”

Plymouth arrive looking to bounce back from their latest defeat against a strong North Devon side. Despite that setback, the reigning champions remain firmly in the title race and have shown plenty of encouraging signs throughout the opening half of the campaign.

Team manager Andy Hulbert believes there are plenty of positives to build on, highlighting the return of captain Melissa Banks as a major boost. Banks has made an immediate impact with both bat and ball, while also providing invaluable leadership and support to a youthful squad. With the majority of Plymouth’s players aged between 15 and 18, the first half of the season has also seen several exciting youngsters establish themselves in first-team cricket, strengthening the club’s long-term future alongside the introduction of a new second XI.

Plymouth’s attack has also been strengthened by the emergence of new “spin queen” Piper Haffenden, who starred in April’s victory over Paignton with outstanding figures of 3-16. She will be looking to continue her excellent recent form after claiming five league wickets across her last two matches.

Banks also has happy memories of facing Paignton, having scored 153 and an unbeaten 94 against them during the 2025 season.

With Paignton now hitting top form and both sides harbouring genuine title ambitions, Sunday’s meeting could have a significant bearing on where the Division One trophy ends up in September.

 

Exmouth v North Devon

Following the top-of-the-table clash in Paignton, attention turns to Maer Ground where North Devon travel to Exmouth looking to maintain their place at the top of Division One and continue their bid to go one better after finishing runners-up in both 2024 and 2025.

Confidence is high in the Instow camp following last weekend’s impressive victory over reigning champions Plymouth, while Regina Lili will be hoping to repeat the unbeaten century she scored when the sides met earlier this season.

North Devon management said: “The girls are really enjoying their cricket this season and it was a superb win against Plymouth last week. We haven’t played at Exmouth for a long time, but we’re hoping for an enjoyable afternoon and to come home with 20 points and a smiling manager.”

Exmouth begin the second half of the campaign at the foot of the table in their debut Division One season, but there are encouraging signs of progress. Last week’s total of 279 against Exeter was their highest score of the season, and captain Jasmyne Watson believes a first victory is edging ever closer.

“We’ve played well in parts this season; we just need to put together a complete 40-over performance and I’m confident the wins will come as a result. We’re coming into this game off our highest score of the season with the bat. We’re looking forward to hosting North Devon” said Watson.

With North Devon aiming to tighten their grip on top spot and Exmouth desperate to claim a first Division One victory to kick-start their survival bid, this promises to be another action packed afternoon. 

 

Cornwood v Exeter

Cornwood return to Oak Park this weekend to host an Exeter side brimming with confidence after last weekend’s extraordinary batting display against Exmouth, where they posted a mammoth 355 runs.

Much of that success came courtesy of Exeter opener Elle Golsworthy, who struck her maiden double century and now sits atop the Division One run-scoring charts. Averaging an incredible 165 this season, Golsworthy is enjoying the best form of her career.

“It was amazing to get my first double hundred and I’ve felt in good form for both club and county recently, so I’m glad it’s converting into runs on the field. Another big game against Cornwood this weekend – never an easy place to go, but we’re looking to do the double over them having beaten them comfortably at our place earlier in the year.”

Exeter also boast the league’s leading wicket-taker in overseas player Briella Humphreys-Crouch. The talented spinner has combined the ability to take wickets with remarkable regularity while maintaining an outstanding economy rate, and earlier this season produced one of the league’s standout bowling performances with extraordinary figures of 6 for 1 against Cornwood.

Cornwood, meanwhile, remain in search of their first victory of the campaign but will take encouragement from last weekend’s performance despite defeat at Paignton. Gemma Lancaster returned to form with her first half-century of the season, while skipper Helly Simpson believes there are plenty of positive signs as the young side continues to develop.

“Despite the result there were plenty of positives. Keira De Villiers bowled an excellent opening spell against county players, Charlotte Schutt produced an amazing run out, and all of our junior players contributed with either runs, wickets or great commitment in the field. We’re hoping to build on that back at home this week and continue growing as a team.”

A first win of the season would provide a huge boost to Cornwood’s survival hopes, while Exeter know another victory could see them move to the top of the Division One table, depending on results elsewhere