The weather held out for the Tolchards Women’s Cricket League, allowing Division Two and Three to get their seasons underway. Here is how everyone got on over the weekend. 

Division One

Exeter hosted Cornwood, and after losing the toss, were put into bat first. However, it was Cornwood who struggled to find momentum early on, with wickets falling regularly. Captain Helly Simpson top-scored with 17, but the visitors were bowled out for just 78. Briella Humphreys Crouch delivered a standout performance with the ball, taking remarkable figures of 6 for 1 from her five overs.

In response, Exeter made light work of the chase. Openers Elle Golsworthy (51*) and Megan Hayward (16*) guided the side home in emphatic fashion, reaching 79 without loss in just 6.2 overs.

Reflecting on the result, Captain Elle Golsworthy said, “We have had a great start to the season with two 20-point wins and it puts us in a good position in the league. A standout performance from Brie with 6 wickets for 1 run!”

Exmouth made the trip to North Devon and, after winning the toss, chose to field first. The hosts produced a commanding batting display, led by an outstanding unbeaten 111* from Regina Lilii, well supported by Megan Snape’s 54. Their partnership helped North Devon post an imposing 275/5 from 40 overs.

Rain at Instow meant a revised target for Exmouth, who were set 227 from 34 overs. The chase never quite gathered momentum, with early wickets putting them on the back foot. Jasmyne Watson provided some resistance with 35, but once she was dismissed by Olivia Kingdom, Exmouth struggled to accelerate and eventually finished on 121/6, falling well short of the target.

Meanwhile, Plymouth hosted Paignton in search of their first win of the season. After winning the toss and opting to field, Plymouth restricted the visitors to 110 all out. Opener Ellie Bishop (42) led the way with the bat, but a lack of support from the rest of the lineup meant Paignton were unable to build a competitive total.

Plymouth’s reply got off to a shaky start with a couple of early wickets, but captain Melissa Banks steadied the innings with a composed 49 not out. Her knock guided the home side to victory in the 23rd over, securing an important first win of their campaign.

Division Two 

Exeter 2nd XI hosted Plympton and, after winning the toss, chose to field first. The visitors made a positive start, with Emma Phillipson (41) and Steph Hutchins (18) putting on 61 for the opening partnership. However, once the breakthrough came, wickets began to fall regularly, and Plympton were eventually bowled out for 136.

In reply, Exeter faced early pressure thanks to the bowling of Immy Burt and Esther Woolley, losing a few quick wickets. Despite this, Jess Parnell anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 38, supported by Erin Duffy (15*), as the home side reached their target in the 33rd over.

Captain Ottilie Day reflected on the performance, saying, “It was great to get our season off to a winning start.  The team really pulled together and gained in confidence through the match.  A great contribution from everyone but the stand out performance with both bat and ball went to Jess Parnell with 3 wickets and 38* to secure the win.”

Hatherleigh made the trip to Taunton Deane and, after losing the toss, were put into bat. An early setback saw both openers dismissed cheaply, but a steady partnership between C. Dennis (18) and O. Cooper (29) helped rebuild the innings. Taunton Deane fought back well through D. Farrow and M. Wilkes, who both claimed three wickets, but Jess Rose anchored the innings superbly with an unbeaten 46, guiding Hatherleigh to 134 all out.

In response, Chloe Dennis produced a match-winning spell with the ball, taking an outstanding five-wicket haul to put Taunton Deane under pressure. I. Dunne offered resistance with 39, but with little support from the rest of the lineup, the hosts were bowled out for 98.

Reflecting on the victory, captain Jess Rose said, “Super pleased with a win in the first game of the season, and proud of all the players. Special mention to Chloe for her five wickets. Looking forward to next week.”

Division Three

In the only Division Three fixture of the weekend, Exmouth hosted Chagford and elected to bat first after winning the toss. The home side made a shaky start, slipping to six early wickets, with Millie Goodhand doing the damage with an impressive four-wicket haul. Lucy Webb then steadied the innings with a patient 41 from 84 deliveries, helping Exmouth recover to 134/9 from their allotted overs. 

In reply, Chagford found it difficult to build sustained partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals. Contributions from Millie Goodhand (14) and Lily Finlay (32) offered some resistance, but Exmouth’s bowlers remained in control. Lucy Webb capped a fine all-round performance with four wickets, while Holly Strode added three, as the hosts secured victory.

Captain Anna Higgins reflected on the match: “Chagford and Exmouth enjoyed a mutually high-energy game of cricket yesterday and although the mizzle was an initial dampener on the first game of the season, the women didn’t let it affect their spirits. As the day progressed, following a cricket tea at half time, the sun came out and Exmouth were able to steal a win on home turf.”