HATHERLEIGH kicked off their season in the Division One of the Blights Motors North Devon Leaguewith an emphatic 206-run victory over previously unbeaten visitors Sandford.
Hatherleigh opener Emmerson Wood put the Young Sandford attack to the sword, hitting 127 off 60 balls, 98 of his runs came in boundaries.
Wood shared big partnerships with Greg Solkin (20) and David Thayre (26), Once he was dismissed, the baton was picked up by Jasper Presswell (89) and Charlie Presswell (55). The twins kept the momentum going, to an impressive 40-over total of 354 for six.
Sandford youngster Will Hopkins took the bowling honours with figures of three for 34 from his eight overs
Sandford struggled against tight bowling, from all five Hatherleigh bowlers. Colt Oscar Barker (3-19) was the stand out.
Ben Chaloner (38) and Jonathan James (31) were the only significant scorers as Sandford slipped to 148 all out.
North Devon make the short trip to Westleigh, where they triumphed by three wickets in the other Division One match
Westleigh were indebted to Braunton’s overseas player Kyle Faber, who led from the front with an entertaining innings of 151. He faced 103 balls, and hit 10 sixes, and 14 fours. Apart from James Poole (25) no other Westleigh batter got into double figures.
When Poole became one of Jay Rotthery's five victims with the score on 210, the home side collapsed to an all-out total of 212.
Rothery ended up with impressive figures of five for 31, but these were surpassed by North Devon's overseas player Definate Mawadzi. He took five for 25 in four overs of off-spin that decimated Westleigh’s lower order
North Devon’s reply started well with Rothery, Nav Vanderbona, and Jack Moore, taking the score to 100, Thereafter, Steffan James (3-24) and Will Speed (2-48) put the squeeze on. That man Mawadzi saw North Devon home, by hitting an unbeaten 90. He faced 70 balls and hit 70 in boundaries
Barnstaple & Pilton started their Division Two campaign against Holsworthy at Raleigh Meadow, and it was visitors Holsworthy that won by 48 runs
Holsworthy scored 148 all out. B&Ps veteran opening bowler Giles Bashford (3-20) helped reduce Holsworthy to two for two. The recovery came courtesy of Danny Tape (28) and Gavin Cockwill (32).
Jack Greening then hit a robust 68, that saw his side to a defendable total. Greening became one of veteran mystery spinner Tony Gilbert's four wickets, Gilbert staked his claim for first-team selection by taking his second four-wicket haul of the weekend.
Barnstaple & Pilton’s chase never really got going, due mainly to some exceptional bowling from Lewis Chidley, who scythed through the top order taking fived for 14 in five overs.
It was left to Frankie Allen (32no) and chip-ins from Jake Freer (17) and Tom Jose (12) to give the score some respectability as the home side were bundled out for 108
Braunton travelled to Exford, and lost by 123 runs. Exford scored 195 all out, and Braunton made 72 all out in reply.
