By OLLIE SMITH

NORTH Devon 3rd XI returned to the top of the G Division East after a convincing 195-run win over Hatherleigh 3rd XI.

Electing to bat first, North Devon lost opener Connor Robson with the score on 2. Craig Tamlyn and Sam Wormington (12) rebuilt with a 54 run partnership for the second wicket.

Wormington was the first of Kirt Fogham’s two wickets (two for 91), but what happened next turned the game completely in favour of hosts North Devon.

Tamlyn, who had already scored the bulk of his team’s runs, had decided to tee off, his new partner Jeremy Thompson, thought best to follow suit.

The pair’s brief was to inflict as much damage as possible on Hatherleigh, and succeeded. The visitors used seven bowlers, five of them went at more than ten an over. Oscar Barker’s eight overs three for 85 was the most successful spell.

Thompson and Tamlyn both brought up their centuries with plenty of time to spare, Tamlyn’s ton was bought up with a six, but then he became Fogham’s second victim. The outgoing batter needed just 69 balls to score 105.

Jeremy Thompson kept going, however, and was supported by some useful cameos from Alex Brookes (22) and Jonny Green (23).

Thompson was sixth man out with the score on 371, he had contributed 152 of them from just 93 deliveries, helping his side to 382 for seven. It is the side’s third consecutive score north of 300.

Hatherleigh were determined not to make the match a quick one, after the turnaround they refused to lose wickets at a match-losing pace, but they struggled to match the scoring rate of Thompson and Tamlyn.

David Thayre top scored for Hatherleigh with an unbeaten 67, next best was Fogham with 26. Three North Devon bowlers picked up a brace, Connor Robson (two for 40), Anosh Anthony (two for 28), and Sam Wormington (two for 24) as Hatherleigh ran out of time with the score on 187 for eight. 

North Devon captain Keith Williams praised his two match-winners, whose centuries were firsts for both of them, “It was great to see Jeremy Thompson score his first century, and it was also a fine first North Devon ton for Craig.”

“It certainly makes the bowling easier, there’s a lot less pressure when there’s that many runs on the board, although it is a different kind of pressure trying to get 10 wickets for the full 20 points.”

“We are looking over our shoulder as we are only top due to not having our bye week yet.”