BIDEFORD defeated North Devon by seven wickets in a high-scoring game in the Sandhills.
More than 500 runs were scored in the game, in which just five wickets fell.
North Devon scored a 40-over total of 277 for two. Freddie Bettiss, the latest in the Bettiss cricketing dynasty, opened the innings, and was there at the end on 73 not out
Fourteen-year-old Bettiss shared an opening partnership of 91 with Nav Vanderbona, who hit an entertaining 64.
Definate Mawadzi joined the fray in the 24th over and dominated the bowling from then on
He hit eight fours and five sixes while scoring 101 not out. Being dropped on 51 by Bideford legend James Ford was a reprieve.
Ford opened the Bideford reply and, ironically, was caught by Mawadzi for nought off the bowling of Jack Moore.
Surviving opener Julian Hayter carried his bat for an unbeaten 119, that saw Bideford to victory, in the 39th over. He hit 66 of his runs in boundaries, and found support from Elliot Currie (22) and Josh King, who hit a brutal 90 off 63 balls. Forty-six extras helped the cause.
Division Two frontrunners Newton Tracey and Nomansland maintained their 100 per-cent records with wins over Holsworthy and Braunton respectively.
Newton Tracey won by 94 runs when they travelled to Holsworthy. Rakesh Nair top scored with 67 and Rumitkumar Patel hit 51 not out in a 40-over total of 261 for six.
Skipper Connor Robson (46) and Graham Persson (34) had started the innings well with an opening partnership of 96. Evie Clarke (2-30) was the pick of the Holsworthy bowlers.
Holsworthy’s batsmen struggled against the Newton Bowlers. Ryan Seymour-Smith top scored with 44. Daniel Lucas (28) and 26 extras were the only other significant contributors. Neil Ayre was the best of the Newton bowlers with three for 41. Owen Watson and veteran Julian Moore had two each.
Braunton were eight-wicket losers when they paid a visit to Nomansland.
Braunton, who chose to bat, were all out for 116 in the 27th over. A Lovell, who top scored with 29, and Gopakumar Mohanakumar (24) were the top batters.
Elliot Cole (5-16) did the damage with the ball. Will Martin got a couple out.
Nomansland got the runs in a hurry, for the loss of two wickets. Harry Cracknell hit a quickfire 50 not out. Support came from Luke Morphet with a more sedate 44 as the home side reached their target in the 20th over
Barnstaple & Pilton hosted Exford, and won by five wickets. Exford racked up an all-out total of 164. James Griffiths top scored with 55. Back-up came from Ryan Jones (34) and Oli Ahern (23). Matt Clarke marked his return to B&P by taking four for 25.
Jamie Sutton led the chase with 55, Matt Newton hit 42 and Ali Poll confirmed his all-rounder status with 20 as the hosts reached their target in the 33rd over.
Lynton & Lynmouth were comprehensive nine-wicket winners over 10-man Victoria Park at Westward Ho!
Nitin Mathews, and Rob Guppy were joint top scorers with 36 each in Viccy Park’s total of 155. There were two wickets each for Mike Cornish, M Syed, Fred Batt, and Vishnu Kombath.
Kombath opened with skipper Andy Keech, and hit a rapid 96 off 59 balls before being run out. Keech was there at the end on 52 not out as his side won with 20 overs in hand
Travel Chapter North Devon Knock -Out Cup
Barnstaple & Pilton 131- 5 (J Roe 34, B Paul 28, J Poole 24; S M Moore 2-17), North Devon 132-7 (Jay Rothery 56, R Clarke 37, J S Moore 26no; J Thomas 2-24). North Devon (2 pts) bt B&P (0) by 7 wkts.
