BIDEFORD are the new leaders of Division One in the Blights Motors North Devon League following a five-wicket win at North Devon to go top of the pile.

North Devon totalled 258 for six in their 40 overs. Roshan Lakmal, got the innings off to a brisk start with 63, followed by James Tyson contributing a robust 97 not out. Elliot Curry, and Ewan Williams both took a couple of wickets for Bideford,

North Devon employed eight bowlers in an attempt to restrain the Bideford chase. It seemed a successful tactic until Ewan Williams came to the crease. He hit 96 not-out from 50 deliveries to see his side home with nine balls to spare

James Ford (37) and James Greenleaf (43) contributed to the Bideford cause. Simon Wright collected a couple of Bideford wickets for North Devon.

Heathcoat ran-out comfortable eight-wicket winners away to Belstone. Ryan Dennis (73) and James Ewen led the Foxes to 118 for one as Belstone got off to a good start.

Thereafter Heathcoat took the next nine wickets for 45 runs for an all-out total of 163,. Christopher Salter (4-38) and Troy Dos Santos (3-10) were the bowlers who did the damage.

Heathcoat knocked off the runs with ease, for the loss of two wickets. Harry Everett (41) led from the front. Noah Musikanth (60no) and Richard Pugsley (52no) finished off the job with 13 overs to spare.

Newton Tracey conceded their game away to Westleigh.

Exford won a tight game in Division Two at Braunton by just six runs.

Exford scored 187 for eight. There were runs down the card for the Moorlanders, although no one bettered the 36 extras Braunton conceded. 

Andrew Norman (51) led the Braunton chase, but the home side were reduced to 137 for nine, thanks largely to Renjeesh Krishnan (4-28). 

Last-wicket pair Martin Biddle (18) and James Hare (32no) took Braunton to the brink of an unlikely victory, but their hopes were dashed when Biddle was bowled by Ryan Jones.

Ten-man Barnstaple & Pilton made the short trip to Newton Tracey, where they lost by seven wickets. 

Barnstaple & Pilton batted first and racked-up an all-out total of 220. Father-and-son James (51) and Finn Tapp (35) got the innings off to a good start. Amandip Panesar top scored with 52. Connor Robson took a couple for Newton; three run-outs helped the cause. 

An unbroke partnership of 163 between Kieran Soper (101no) and Alexander Cox (75no) saw the home side to victory with ease. 

Clive Ball, the B&P skipper, did his best, with bowling figures of one for ten from his eight overs. B&P clearly missed ‘mystery spinner’ Tony Gilbert.

Elsewhere in Division Two there was a win for Lynton & Lynmouth over Victoria Park at the Valley of the Rocks ground.