NORTH Devon CC tightened their grip on the Blights Motors North Devon League with an emphatic 143-run victory over visitors Nomansland.
Roshan Lakmal dominated North Devon’s innings, carrying his bat for a not-out score of 206. He faced 127 balls, and hit three sixes in addition to his 30 fours.
Lakmal was involved in two 100-plus partnerships – with Navindu Vanderbona (41) and Richard Clarke (48) – as the innings closed on 324 for two.
Nomansland gave it a go. Opener Ed Butterfield (59) and skipper Greg Cole (60) led the visitors to 161 for three. However, teenage spinner Oscar Meech got to work, taking four for 36, as the Witheridge outfit were dismissed for 182.
Heathcoat entertained Belstone at Knighthayes, and ran out eight-run victors in a tight game.
Heathcoat racked-up an all-out score of 204. Daniel Pugsley top scored with 49 not out, Jesse-James Albanie helped with 41. Six of the seven Belstone bowlers took wickets. Matt Dennis led the Foxes’ reply with 81, and there were chip-ins from Callum Mallett (32) and Ryan Dennis (36). Tight bowling from eight Heathcoat bowlers limited Belstone to 196 for seven in response.
Barnstaple & Pilton beat Newton Tracey 2nd XI by 66 runs in a Division Two match at Raleigh Meadow.
Barnstaple & Pilton scored 211 for five thanks mainly to the Chugg boys: Ruben (59) and Dominic (66no) and Jon Jones with 40 not out. Shane Andrew took three wickets for Newton.
Newton Tracey’s reply was led by Kieran Soper (39) and skipper, and league chairman Graham Moore (30).
Jamie Sutton, the B&P captain, took three wickets – and there was a couple each for Matt Newton, and ‘mystery spinner’ Tony Gilbert as Newton were dismissed for 145.
Ilfracombe defeated visiting Exford by 69 runs at Brimlands. The Moorlanders made an all-out score of 231. Opener Sam Price hit a robust 106 and Ranjesh Krishnan contributed 52. Both fell victim to Tom Ward (5-55).
Exford’s reply was led by Jay Thakur (77). The next highest scorer was 23 extras. Paul Jones took four for 34 for Exford.
Holsworthy beat Victoria Park by four wickets on the Westward Ho! Ground. The Park scored 228 all out, thanks in the main to Ian Brown (64) and Jack Ancill (55). Rob Guppy contributed 31 not out from number 11. Oisin O'Kelly (4-24) took the bowling honours for Holsworthy. Holsworthy got the runs with seven overs in hand, thanks mainly to 98 not out by Sam Stacey, and 43 from Gavin Cockwill.
Mark Slade and David Stanton both took a couple of wickets for the Park
