BIDEFOFD are the new leaders in Division One of the Blights Motors North Devon League after by defeating former leaders Heathcoat by seven wickets at Westward Ho! to take pole position for themselves.
Heathcoat, who won the toss and batted first, racked-up a 40-over total of 221 for nine. Harry Everett led from the front with a robust 61. He found support from Michael Humphreys (36) and Richard Pugsley (27), the rest of the batters struggled against the accuracy of the Bideford bowlers, who only gave away nine wides between them. Fawaaz Gallie (3-46) was the most successful. The Moseby boys – Woody and Will – claimed a couple of wickets each.
Bideford got the runs in a hurry! Openers Gallie (37) and Julian Hayter (94) put on 100 in 15 overs. Hayter hit 17 fours and a six in his innings.
Two Quick wickets brought in-form Josh King to the wicket and he quickly put the game to bed. He hit 65 off 39 balls. Forty-eight of his runs came in boundaries as Bideford won with 10 overs in hand. William Pugsley claimed two wickets for Heathcoat.
Depleted Westleigh went to Instow with just eight players but, thanks to Instow providing sub fielders, a game was played. North Devon duly won by a margin of 78 runs in a match reduced to 30 overs per side
Jack Moore helped himself to 81 and home skipper James Tyson took the opportunity to give some colts a bat, as his team scored 186 for six. Josh Fisher and Chris Lock both claimed a couple of victims for Westleigh
Kyle Faber top scored with a rapid 45 in the Westleigh reply, and skipper Dan Elston hit 23 not out, as Westleigh were dismissed for 108. Freddie Bettiss starred with the ball, taking four for nine, Nik Ollis took a couple of wickets and Moore persisted with his phantom off-spin
Victoria Park travelled to Braunton in Division Two, where they won by three wickets.
Braunton batted first and were all out for 130. Ajeesh Alosious top scored for Braunton with 36. Kieron Whitehead took four for 34 for the visitors, and there were three wickets for Alex Lee.
Nitin Mathew led the chase with 42 and Jack Ancill contributed 28 as Viccy Park reached their target with 12 overs in hand, despite the efforts of Sam Reddick (4-34) and Alosious (3-19).
Holsworthy entertained Barnstaple & Pilton, and won by 56 runs.
Brendan Harris hit 11 fours and a six on the way to a top score of 69 for Holsworthy in an all-out total of 189. Liam Brend made 48. Dom Chugg (3-31) was the pick of the bowlers
Barnstaple & Pilton struggled against the Holsworthy bowlers. Jamie Sutton dropped anchor for 54, but Chugg was the only other significant scorer with 28 in an all-out total of 133.
Daniel Lucas took four for 20 up top, Lewis Chidley took two for 16 and Adam Lovejoy wrapped things with three for none at the end.
Finals day in the Travel Chapter North Devon T20 Knock Out Cup takes place this Sunday at Hatherleigh CC. The first semi-final is scheduled for 10am, the second at 1pm and the final at 4pm. Bar and barbecue available all day.
Defending Champions Bideford will be there alongside hosts Hatherleigh. North Devon and maybe Holsworthy will be the other two teams.
RESULTS
Bideford 112-8 (James Ford 35; D Lucas 3-70, Holsworthy 86 (Rory Piper 33; Aakash Nehra 3-24). Bideford (2pts) bt Holsworthy (0) by 26 runs.
Braunton (0pts) conceded v Holsworthy (2).
