North Devon rekindle survival hopes with brave win

Just when it looked all over for North Devon, the Tolchards Devon Cricket League Premier Division's bottom side pulled off a must-win victory at fellow strugglers Bovey Tracey to keep their hopes of staying up alive - just.

Bowled out for 27 by Bradninch & Kentisbeare the previous weekend and without skipper Tom Popham (hamstring), North Devon knew they could start planning for A Division cricket next year if they had lost at Bovey.

It was a huge game for both sides - Bovey, who won four of their first five matches, have now lost their last seven, with another rained off.

North, led by Popham's brother Jack, bowled the hosts out for 187 in the final (50th) over on a day when high winds and showers made for testing conditions.

James Tyson produced a match-winning spell of 6-36 from 8.4 overs.

A third-wicket stand of 97 between Ben Howe (46) and Jack Moore (54) broke the back of the chase, and North eventually squeezed home by two wickets with seven balls to spare for only their third win of the season.

They are still deep in trouble, especially after Plympton also upset Tiverton Heathcoat.

With four games left, the bottom of the table reads: North Devon 116pts, Plympton 137, Bovey 138, Paignton 142.

It doesn't get any easier - North next take on leaders Sandford at Instow this Saturday, and their remaining games include trips to Cornwood (2nd) and Paignton before a potential final-day showdown at home to Plympton.

Sandford struck a major blow in the title race when they beat champions Bradninch by four wickets in a top-of-the-table clash at Creedy Park.

They bowled Bradninch out for 141, with skipper Jackson Thompson mopping up the tail with 4-15, and a third-wicket stand of 81 between Dikshanshu Negi (54) and Adam Small (35) set up a four-wicket victory.

The game between Cornwood and Sidmouth was rained off, so the situation at the top is: Sandford 215, Cornwood 193, Bradninch 191, Sidmouth 191.

Mid-table Exmouth had few problems at Paignton - Dan Pyle took 5-29 and Jason Niemand 3-16 to bowl Paignton out for 120, with Niemand adding 36 as Exmouth won by four wickets inside the 29th over.

Exeter CC are set for a memorable end to the 2023 season.

Their 1st XI took a big step towards the A Division title and promotion in their 1st-v-2nd clash at Torquay.

Billy Buckingham took 5-42 as the hosts were dismissed for 163, despite a half-century from their prolific South African opener Ruan Terblanche, and Sam Read's run-a-ball 58 set up a vital seven-wicket victory.  

Torquay drop to fourth and, with Hatherleigh (113) losing to Thorverton (137-9), Kilmington are up to second place after routing Budleigh Salterton by eight wickets, chasing 175 - Matt Rockett 60, Brett Garner 50no.

The top of the A Division now reads: Exeter 222, Kilmington 201, Hatherleigh 187, Torquay 187.

Exeter's 3rd XI are also clear at the top of D East after chasing 188 to pip Topsham St James by one wicket (Max Cockram 67).

Bridestowe are still top of 'B' despite being bowled out for 117 in a seven-run defeat at mid-table Barton.

Bideford (2nd) were frustrated by the weather at home to Bovey 2nds, ahead of a big one this Saturday - Bridestowe-v-Bideford.  There are 15 points between them.

And Teignmouth & Shaldon, who beat Heathcoat 2nds by seven wickets, have an 18-point lead over rained-off Braunton in C East.

Taking on bottom club Sandford 2nds in the same division, Seaton knew a win was almost essential to give them hope of survival in the B Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League.

Openers Damian Baxter and Matt Hewer headed to the crease with pressure on, and they responded brilliantly. Baxter hit four sixes in his entertaining 79 and Hewer was the patient linchpin at the other end, compiling a steady 46.

Seaton finished on 224-7 and then bowled economically to win by 78 runs.