BIDEFOFD tightened their grip at the top of the Blights Motors North Devon League with a 13-run victory over visitors North Devon in a high-scoring affair at Westward Ho!
Bideford racked up an all-out total of 294.Veteran James Ford led from the front with a quickfire 79. There was support from Marcus Bulled (58) and Ewan Williams 56. Ian Hayter chipped in with 26.
Bideford groundsman, and veteran off-spinner Steve Moore, was possibly brought on to bowl too late. When he eventually bowled, he took four for 34 in 31 balls. There were three wickets for Wes McKellar, and a couple for Roshan Lakmal.
North Devon certainly gave it a go in reply. Roshan Lakmal (89) and Sowan Islam (47), got the innings off to a rapid start, skipper James Tyson contributed 57, and Navindu Vanderbona chipped in with 32.
Despite those efforts, North Devon ran out of overs and finished on 281 for seven. James Ford, and Ewan Williams both took a couple for Bideford.
Westleigh dispatched visitors Nomansland by 10 wickets in a dominant display.
Nomansland scored 166 all-out in just under 32 overs. Darren Cook top scored with 57 and skipper Greg Cole contributed 35. Both fell victim to Steffan James (5-24). Westleigh made short work of the chase, knocking off the runs in under 20 overs without losing a wicket. James Poole hit 73 not out and Selwyn Fisher was unbeaten on 63.
Newton Tracey were unable to raise a side to play at Heathcoat.
Exford maintained second place in Division Two with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Barnstaple & Pilton at Raleigh Meadow.
It was a family affair for B&P as four members of the Chugg sporting dynasty turned out for them. The general opinion is that the collective noun would be a Calamity of Chuggs!
B&P batted first and scored 164 all out. Skipper Matt Newton top scored with 37. Joe Chugg got 32, dad Jeremy chipped in with 20 not out and Ruben contributed 15.
Ella Beauchamp was the pick of the Moorlanders’ bowlers with three for 15.
Exford used a little more than 20 overs to get the runs for the loss of four wickets, thanks in the main to 84 not out from opener Jonah Hopkins. He got help from Oli Ahern (30) and Shreevishnu Kombath (27). Dominic Chugg took a couple of wickets to keep the family theme going.
Braunton entertained Lynton & Lynmouth at the Kelsey Ground, and fell foul of a phenomenal innings from Dan Godfrey as the visitors won by 217 runs.
Godfrey hit 29 fours and six sixs on the way to making 203 in Lynton & Lynmouth’s total of 328 for four. He put on 59 with Mat Falkiner (26) and 221 in a partnership with David Brierley (50). James Hare took three wickets for Braunton
Braunton were all out for 111. Andy Norman top scored with 43 and Samson Hare hit 23. Kofi Atkinson was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for six. There were three wickets each for Connor Constable (3-24) and Mike Cornish (3-4).
Newton Tracey 2nd XI won by 66 runs at Ilfracombe. An unbeaten 106 from Alexander Cox helped Ilfracombe reach 198 all out.
Graham Garner led the chase with 39 and Sam Chodhury contributed 30. Ultimately, 'Combe couldn't cope with the Newton bowlers as they were all out for 132. Domi Moore, and Faizn Naveed both took three wickets for Newton
Victoria Park conceded their game at Holsworthy.
