It was another busy weekend of action in the Tolchards Devon Women's Cricket League, with Division Two, Division Three, the T20 Plate and the T20 Eight-a-Side competitions all taking centre stage. There were big partnerships, dominant bowling displays and several teams strengthening their positions at the top of their respective tables.
Here's a look at all the action from across the county.
Division Two
Taunton Deane travelled to Clyst St George for their latest Division Two fixture, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat first. C Taylor anchored the innings with a well-made 66, while I Murrin added an unbeaten 29 and G Baylis contributed 9 to help Clyst St George post a competitive 181/6 from their allotted overs.
Taunton Deane responded with an outstanding opening partnership as P Stephens and I Dunne took the game away from the hosts. Stephens fell agonisingly short of a century after being run out for 92, while Dunne made an impressive 61 as the pair added 164 for the first wicket. Captain H Kelly then came to the crease and struck the winning runs to complete a convincing chase.
Division Three
Bovey Tracey took on Bradninch & Kentisbeare to make it five wins in five games. Bovey won the toss and bowled first, causing havoc with the ball. Imogen Du Toit stuck with the early wicket of Fi Morgan, but Emma Farley (18) and Yvonne Jackson (47) put on a partnership of 57, until they also fell to Bovey’s bowling attack. With wickets for Lily Driver and Ava Cowper, Bradninch finished on 117/8.
Bradninch had the momentum in the opening overs of their innings, with Bovey losing their openers in the first two overs. Captain Libby Hooper stepped up to help guide her team to victory, scoring an unbeaten half-century (54*), alongside support from Evie Lockett (27) and Beth Topping (12*). This win extends their lead at the top of the table to 18 points.
T20 8 A Side Group A
Exmouth 4ths welcomed Clyst St George for the 8-a-side T20 game. Clyst won the toss, putting themselves into bat first. Ali West (33*) and Esme Brooks (36*) both retired out, with Hannah Dawe scoring 34 to finish their innings on 183/3.
Exmouth struggled against the bowling attack of Clyst, losing wickets consistently throughout their innings. Katy Horn topped the scoring with a score of 32, before being run out. Adele Fulner (28*) helped to keep their chances alive, but it wasn’t enough, falling 46 runs short at the end. The win marks the third win of three games for Clyst, seeing them sit top of the table for now.
T20 8 A Side Group B
Sidmouth hosted Seaton in a low-scoring match, with the hosts electing to field first. Sidmouth's bowlers dominated from the outset, dismissing Seaton for just 35 in eight overs. Albertine Symes starred with four wickets, while the remaining wickets were shared among the rest of the attack. Florence Gibson (8), Taylar Rutter (7) and Tilly Craddock (4) were the only batters to make notable contributions for Seaton.
Despite the modest target, Sidmouth's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets inside the opening three overs. However, Albertine Symes (5*) and Anita Maechler (13*) steadied the innings and calmly guided the hosts to victory in the sixth over, securing the points after an impressive all-round team performance.
T20 Plate Group A
Top of the table Hatherleigh welcomed Cornwood, looking to carry on their winning streak. Cornwood put the home side into bat first, posting a score of 122 runs in their 20 overs. Runs came from Chloe Rose (27*), Mia Spears (26), Chloe Dennis (18), and Olivia Cooper (10), with wickets shared between their Cornwood bowlers.
Cornwood struggled against the bowling attack of Hatherleigh, as wickets fell throughout their innings and partnerships struggled to form. Cornwood found themselves all out for 57 in the 16th over. It was a family affair with the Dennis’ leading the bowling attack with 3 wickets for Chloe Dennis, two for Jessica Dennis, and a run-out for Abigail Dennis.
T20 Plate Group B
Finally, Whimple hosted Exmouth 2nds, with the visitors winning the toss and electing to bat first. A Higgins led the way with 42 before being dismissed by I. Wills, while contributions from K Hibell (17), T Bloom (11) and S Antonio (8*) helped Exmouth post 106/8 from their allotted overs.
In reply, K Trude anchored Whimple's chase with 32, but regular wickets and a lack of sustained partnerships made the target difficult to reach. Exmouth's bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings, restricting the hosts to 94 and securing their second league victory of the season.
