Posted: Monday 12th June 2006

Source: Stephen Birley

What a shame that the game with Bude wasn't being scored in a ball-by-ball mode for teenage opening bat Ross Acton might well be taking his place in the North Devon League record books. Acton went into bat with his side looking to hunt down a competitive 232 for a win that would not only maintain the side�s 100% start to the campaign but also keep them top of the table.

Any mathematicians looking to see what the required run-rate might be for a 45-over chase at 232 would not have needed to bother as Acton simply sprayed the bowling all over Kensham Park. In similar style to an unattended hose spraying water around the family garden Acton sent the ball to all corners of the ground whacking an incredible unbeaten 136. The innings was all the more amazing for just 12 of his runs DID NOT arrive in boundaries as he thrashed TWENTY EIGHT 4's and a couple of sixes. His 50 came up with just the one run not accredited to a boundary and had the game been ball scored we might well be lauding a new record.

The game was won in double quick time - almost half the 45 overs were still to be bowled when Acton finally put visiting Bude out of their misery!

The North Devon League - The season so far....

So far so very, very good as the Sunday XI look to accomplish back-to-back promotions and push their way into the second tier of North Devon League cricket. There is no doubt that the Third Division is the hardest to climb out of given that only one side does indeed get the chance to join the Second Division sides.

After six of the scheduled 18 games, and one third of the campaign done and dusted let's take a look at how things are panning out. We do of course not lead the table outright as Tiverton & Bickleigh also sport a 100% record, and also after six games. They have won four of their six with two being lost to the weather, we have played five, won them all and were denied a 6th win by a weather induced cancellation.

Only two other sides in the section can boast three wins, Filleigh 2 are the next side to come to Kensham Park this Sunday and they have played seven games, winning three, losing two - one at home to Cullompton (146-8 versus 178) and at Sandford 2 (200 versus 232-8. Their three wins have been against Hatherleigh, Bude and Sandford, the latter the most recent, last Sunday. In that game against Sandford 2 Martin Bailey took a career best 7-42.

Shebbear currently prop up the table, this despite their win last Sunday over a Cullompton side that took the field with four 13 year olds. Shebbear have a points average of 9.00 marginally better than hapless Bude who have a points average of 9.83 after losing four of their seven games to date. North Devon 2 are third from bottom with 10.80, next come Cullompton (11.00), Hatherleigh (11.33), Sandford 2 (11.62), Filleigh 2 (15.20) and then ourselves and Tiverton & Bickleigh.

The latter are made up of players who play for the Tiverton Saturday side in D Division East of the Devon league and also Halberton who play in the E Division East.

It is a fact that should Bradninch prevail in both this coming Sunday�s game with Filleigh AND the following week at Tiverton & Bickleigh then half way will be reached with the team well on course to complete, in the second half of the campaign, what should be a stroll to the finishing line in early September.

This coming weekend full North Devon League Preview - Week 10

There is a full programme in the top flight with only lfracombe not in action. Leaders North Devon entertain a Filleigh side who know that a win at Instow and they will move up from their �surprise package� tag to genuine title contenders. North Molton Skipper Tom Wright who said a fortnight ago that it was likely to be only one defeat for this season title winners takes his side to a Barnstaple & Pilton side who won for the first time at the 5th attempt last weekend. Beaford, who have recorded back-to-back victories to sit mid-table, host a Sandford side who last won a Sunday League game on April 29th. Finally in the top flight Bideford, without a win all season, their only �success� being an early campaign walk over, host a Braunton side who themselves haven�t tasted victory since the first day of the season.

In Division Two joint leaders Newton Tracey and Victoria Park both play. Newton Tracey have a Saturday fixture at win-less Bratton Fleming, Victoria Park play the following day when they host 5th placed Barnstaple & Pilton II. Heathcoat and Incorrigibles, who both had centurions in losing games last weekend, meet at Knightshayes with the Witheridge side looking to win their first game at the 8th attempt.

There�s a �cracker� in Division Three when 3rd placed Filleigh II go to Bradninch and with the Kensham Park side top with a 100% record they know that a win on Sunday and the following weekend at Tiverton & Bickleigh and they will be over the hill and far away half way through the campaign. Bude, beaten for the 4th time in seven outings at Bradninch last weekend look to edge out of the drop zone when they host 100% Tiverton & Bickleigh and Cullompton entertain Hatherleigh at their Speeds Meadow Headquarters. Shebbear entertain North Devon 2.

In Division Four Holsworthy reach the half way mark of their campaign looking to maintain their 100% record with a visit from 3rd bottom Westleigh 2nd. Morebath and Victoria Park are joint second and only Morebath play, they host Bideford 2 and Kelseymen entertain Lynton 2.

In Division Five Newton Tracey put their 100% record on the line with a visit from a North Molton side who have lost five of their six outings this season. Bishops Nympton travel to a Black Torrington side who have scored 250 plus in each of their last two games and there is a Mid Devon derby at Witheridge when Nomansland meet Cheriton Fitzpaine.