THE top of the Blights Motors NDL First Division changed from a two-horse to a four-horse race following the latest round of results.
Bideford remain top of the pile despite suffering a 42-run defeat at the hands of visitors Belstone.
Ryan Dennis led from the front for the Foxes with a rapid 78 and, with the help of Shaquan Glasgow (19) took their score to 135 for two.
Bideford’s Jim Keates then got to work. His six-for-25 haul reduced Belstone to an all-out total of 154.
The Bideford chase never really got going against Belstone the bowlers. Marcus Bulled (36) and Aakash Nehra (22) gave the home side some hope. Once they were dismissed, Bideford subsided to 112 all out.
Shaquan Glasgow stood out with bowling figures of three for 11. Craig Penberthy and Tallan Burns both took a couple to help the Foxes to second place in the division.
Westleigh moved-up to third in the table with a six-wicket win over nearest neighbours North Devon.
North Devon were bundled out for 88 in 32 overs. No one scored more than the 26 extras Westleigh conceded. All the bowlers took wickets, Steffan James was particularly parsimonious. He took three for nine from his overs. Former B&P starlet Ian Wheatley chipped in with a couple; two run-outs helped.
Westeigh got the runs with ease in just under 15 overs. James Poole helped himself to 32 not out, James contributed 18. Navindu Vanderbona took a couple of wickets for the Instow outfit.
Hatherleigh maintained their 100 per cent record in Division Two by easily defeating visitors Barnstaple & Pilton by 75 runs.
Kirt Forgham set the tone with a quickfire 97 to point Hatherleigh towards a total of 284 for nine. Adam Quick got a run- -ball 65, and Shreyansh Ghosh hit a rapid 49.
Toby Lawrence took three for 42 and there were a couple each for Colin Simpson and Ruben Chugg.
Although Jamie Sutton anchored the Barum innings with 78, and despite there being contributions through the card, Barnstaple were always behind the asking rate.
Adam Quick took a couple of wickets for Hatherleigh before the chase finally petered out at 209 for six.
Lynton & Lynmouth defeated Ilfracombe by 16 runs in the North Coast derby at Brimlands.
In-form Dan Godfrey scored 133 not out – his fourth century of the season – towards Lynton & Lymouth’s total of 260 for four.
Godfrey got support from Tristan Jones (57), with whom he shared a 183-run partnership. Home skipper Graham Garner took a couple.
Ilfracombe certainly gave it a go. Sam Chowdhury led from the front with 45 and Simon Hope contributed 35 not out. But Ilfracombe ultimately fell short at 244 for eight.
Mike Cornish took three for 66 and there were a couple each for Robin and Richard Holland.
Braunton entertained Victoria Park, and won by eight wickets Victoria Park scored 218 for seven, thanks mainly to 68 from Ian Brown. He found support from Ben Scarrett (38), and Jack Ancill (23). Andy Norman and youngster Luan Mathews both took a couple for Braunton.
Norman led his team to victory with 105. He shared an opening partnership of 184 with James Kemp, who ended up on 93 not out.
Newton Tracey 2nd XI travelled to Holsworthy, where they lost by 30 runs. Holsworthy scored 271 for three. Jack Greening made 136 and Herschelle Poggenpoel scored 65 not out.
Julian Moore (52) and Dominic Robson (49) led the Newton chase but, thanks to teenager Brodie Wonnacott (4-20), they were all out for 241.
