North Devon Cricket League Week Three reports:

It was another cracking weekend for the club with regard to the North Devon Cricket League. What a fantastic victory for the new Sunday League 2nd XI who beat visiting Filleigh 3 by a single wicket with a couple of 15 year olds showing steady heads and straight bats to steer the side to a famous victory. Take a bow Mark Bailey and Richard Lucey!

The visitors batted first and at 46-6 were in all sorts of trouble but a sporting Bradninch skipper, Chris Dean, shuffled his bowling pack to assist in the making of a good game. The visitors, who also it must be said had a fine bat low down the order, managed to make their way to a close of 144. Chris Acton taking 4-10 and Simon Bailey 2-4.

The reply looked to be on course at 100-2 but then slumped to 132-9 leaving those two 15 year olds to save the day and win the game. Mark Bailey was not out 11 and Richard Lucey played his part too - he was not out 2 when young Bailey, son of the club stalwart (how many years has been serving this club?), smacked a four to bring up the win.

Skipper Dean said:

�Marvellous, what a thrilling game of cricket. When we first floated the concept of a Sunday 2nd XI this is exactly the sort of game I envisaged. A mix of senior players and young blood and games like we have just played in - super stuff�.

It is also worth mentioning the contribution of another couple of future club stars - 15 year old Ollie Cottrell struck a solid 18 and an even younger lad - 11 year old Tom Sherman made a promising debut.

The remainder of Week three in the NDL went as follows:

Wall to wall sunshine greeted the teams playing week three of the North Devon Cricket League and only one game failed to start - the Division One game at Bideford where Ilfracombe failed to show having advised their hosts that they simply could not raise a side for such an early season game.

Ilfracombe Skipper Dave Hart explained saying:

�I can only apologise for this. It was a real mix up for we simply couldn�t field an XI on the Saturday what with the number of footballing players we have in the club. The irony is we could have fielded two sides the following day!�

It is ridiculous to talk of a week three result as being pivotal but the big game at North Molton saw the champions start the defence of their title with a two wicket win over Sandford. In recent years two defeats has been the maximum a side can manage and so for the Creedy Park men, with two wins from two prior to Sunday�s game, can ill afford another slip up. It makes for an interesting game now on Monday May 7th when they travel to Instow to meet the third of the Big Three in the League�s top tier, North Devon.

North Molton made a champion start to their North Devon Cricket League title defence with a two wicket win over visiting Sandford on Sunday. The Mid Devon side arrived with two wins from two and batted first to total 228-9. Richard Foan (53) and skipper Paul Smith (49) being the main contributors. Matthew Hammond bagged the first wicket of the new League Season for North Molton but it was Rob Ayre (3-30) and James Tapp (3-62) who took the wicket taking honours.

In the reply Mike Green hit a solid half century. Skipper Tom Wright chipped in with 37 and it was left to Will Sherring to take his side to the victory. With four runs needed to win and half centurion Green back in the pavilion Sherring had a look at his first delivery from opposing skipper Paul Smith and then spanked the next delivery for six to bring up the win. Shane Evenden, Simon Ashplant and Richard Foan each bagged two wickets for Sandford.

Molton skipper Tom Wright said:

�It�s the perfect start to our campaign. They don�t come much tougher than Sandford and so to get one over on them so early in the campaign is a massive advantage. We are well aware that in this Division you need to hit the ground running from the first game and that�s just what we have delivered�.

Richard Foan put aside his disappointment at being overlooked by the county selectors for the one day side - the powers that be see him more of an integral part of the three day version, hitting successive half centuries in two Division One games at the weekend. Foan led Sandford to a superb win at Barnstaple & Pilton on Saturday, the Creedy Park men�s second successive win in the North Devon League First Division.

Hosts Barum batted first and were restricted to 228-9. Brady Saunders hit a superb unbeaten 70 and Rodney Bowden chipped in with 52, whilst Rob Holme got 22 whereas for the visitors there were two wickets for Matt Theedom, Pete Steele, Richard Foan and teenager Simon Ashplant, then Foan cracked 87 and Adrian Small struck 59 to set the foundation of the win. The victory line was crossed with Nigel Ashplant 31no and Asa Wright 6no at the crease. Henry McEndoo did give home supporters something to cheer. The young spinner sent back the first four Sandford batsmen returning figures of 4-59.

The following day Foan was again the inspiration with the bat but his half century for the cause was in vain as Sandford slipped to defeat at the hands of champions North Molton. North Devon proved that they mean business with a second successive win. The champions of two years� ago want to take North Molton's crown from them but they were given a terrific battle by visiting Newton Tracey before winning by four wickets with a boundary from Ross Burbidge off the final ball of the contest.

Rob Gear (48) and brother Simon (36) together with John Whormsley (47) underpinned the Newton Tracey total of 247-7, two wickets for Dave Smale and one for Martin Gear. In the reply Dan Pickard was in sparkling form hitting a faultless 63 whilst both Matt Westaway and Stewart Rhodes hit half centuries. Julian Turner bagged three wickets for Tracey but that final ball from Spencer Peate was swatted to the boundary by Burbidge and North Devon celebrated a thrilling win.

Bideford began their Division One season with a win and they did so without bowling a ball in anger. Scheduled opponents Ilfracombe couldn�t raise a side and forfeited the game.

Braunton played game number five of their Division Two campaign and they slumped to a second defeat, beaten at home by Victoria Park who claimed the game by eight wickets. Ian Roberts top scored with 72 and Ed Holmes hit 43 in the hosts� 201, three wickets for Dave Branch and then a wonderful century from John Glass, he finished unbeaten on 101, saw Victoria Park to a big win. Colin Bettis hit 46 for the victors.

Filleigh played two, won two in Division Three after a seven wicket win over Hatherleigh. Tom Rogers (51) and Rob Fish Leigh (47) took Hatherleigh to a close of 182-6, two wickets for Fraser James and then Martin Collier (54) and James Hill 38no) saw Filleigh 2 to the win.

Holsworthy made a winning start to their campaign as they beat visiting Tiverton & Bickleigh by three wickets. The Mid Devon side posted 171-9, two wickets for Andy Mortimer and Duncan Edwards but the bowling star was Steve Drew who took 3-33 and then scored 40 in the successful run chase. Keith Drew hit 30 and John Tidball an unbeaten 44.

Incorrigibles have made a splendid start to life in Division Three after last year�s relegation and it�s two wins from two as they followed up the previous weekend�s win at Hatherleigh with a quick fire win at Bude on Sunday afternoon. After bowling out the hosts for 186, three wickets for Gavin Ewing, two each for brothers Selwyn Elston (2-24) and Alex Elston (2-20). Then South African Rhean Jeggles blasted a rapid fire unbeaten 113 as he and James Hope (33no) got their team home in just 26 overs.

Bude lost a second successive game, beaten in double quick time by visiting Incorrigibles who had a South African amongst their ranks who put them to the sword. Batting first Bude could muster just 186, Andrew De Rosa once again leading the way with 37 but that total was not going to bother South African Rehan Jeggles who struck a magnificent unbeaten 113, as he and James Hope (33no) blasted their side to an eight wicket win in just 26 overs.

Cullompton got their Division Four campaign off to a winning start with a 31 run win at home to Lynton & Lynmouth 2. The opening run of the Landspeed Meadow season came off the bat of Heffen Wood and he went on to hit a top score of 42 with the Martin brother, Richard (23) and James (23no) giving good support. In the reply Lynton & Lynmouth were bowled out for 144 with Gary Norman bagging the side�s first league wicket of the new season. Norman went on to claim 3-26, James Martin completed a good afternoon�s work with bat and ball, he took 2-24 and brother James held onto the team�s first catch of the season, taking a �skier� at extra cover off Norman�s medium pace.

Cheriton Fitzpaine also launched their new life in Division Four following last year�s title winning season. They struck a five wicket win over the side who were promoted with them last August, Black Torrington. The visitors batted first and made a respectable 258 with James Mayne cracking 104, Lee Cockwill hit 74 whilst both Ted Brigden and Phil Cutler both took two wickets. Mike Foan (17) and Peter Blight (41) got the Cherries off to a half century start and then John Pitt (35), skipper Charles Sheldrake (44), Phil Cutler (38no) and Ted Brigden (21no) saw their side past the winning post.

In Division Five Westleigh 2 got off to a winning start with a three wicket win over visiting Newton Tracey 2. Tracey posted a mild 214-7, Graham Moore getting 59 and Mark Cowling being one shy of a half century when unbeaten at the close. Lee Merrick had a good afternoon in the field for Westleigh, he was responsible for two of the three run outs, and Richard Pears was the most successful bowler with his 2-12. James Ford hit a magnificent 93 and Lee Farrant got 25 whilst it was left to Skipper James Tytcott (22no) and Matt Wilson (14no) to see Westleigh to a three wicket win.

North Devon 3 beat Kelseymen by two wickets, the hosts getting home on 178-8 in reply to the visitors all out total of 177. 13 year old Max Curtis bagged a couple of wickets for North Devon with his off spin and then Tom Stanton (35) and Stewart Rhodes (50) saw their side to victory.

Bideford had too much for hosts Barnstaple & Pilton 3 beating them by 142 runs. Alan Withecombe blasted 138, James Hocking hit 32 in a commanding total of 276-5, three wickets for Peter Gleave and two for Gavin Drew and then Hocking bagged four wickets as Barum were bowled out for 134.

In Division Six the two Mid Devon representatives, Halberton and Bradninch 2 are setting the early pace as both chalked up wins in their second games of the campaign. Halberton had far too much for Ilfracombe 2 who were bowled out for 124. Marcus Bush and Fred Harding both claimed three wickets, Jeremy Turner took two and there was a wicket also for 14 year old Josh Dowling who bowled three overs taking 1-7.

Bradninch saw off Filleigh 3 in a game described by skipper Chris Dean as thrilling. The visitors batted first and were bowled out for 144. Chris Acton taking 4-10 and Simon Bailey 2-4. The reply looked to be on course at 100-2 but then slumped to 132-9 leaving a couple of 15 year olds to see Bradninch to a thrilling single wicket victory at 147-9. Teenage last pair Mark Bailey (11no) and Richard Lucey (2no) got Bradninch to the winning line and there was also a debut for the winners from 11 year old Tom Sherman, whilst another youngster, 15 year old Ollie Cottrell hit a solid 18.

Results:
Division One:
Barnstaple & Pilton 228-9.
(B Saunders 70no, R Bowden 52; P Steele 2-33), Sandford 230-5 (R Foan 87, A Small 59; H McEndoo 4-59).
Sandford (20pts) bt Barnstaple & Pilton (5) by 5 wkts.

Newton Tracey 247-7.
(R Gear 48, J Whormsley 47, S Gear 36: D Smale 2-29).
North Devon 250-6 (D Pickard 63, M Westaway 54, S Rhodes 53: J Turner 3-37).
North Devon (20pts) bt Newton Tracey (6) by 4 wkts.

Sandford 228-9.
(R Foan 53, P Smith 49: R Ayre 3-30, J Tapp 3-62).
North Molton 232-8
(M Green 50, T Wright 37; R Foan 2-28, S Ashplant 2-42).
North Molton (20pts) bt Sandford (8) by 2 wkts.
Bideford (20pts) bt Ilfracombe (0) w/over - Ilfracombe failed to raise a side.

Division Two:
Braunton 201.
(I Roberts 72, E Holmes 43; D Branch 3-35).
Victoria Park 205-2 (J Glass 101no, C Bettis 46).
Victoria Park (20pts) bt Braunton (2) by 8 wkts.

Division Three:
Bude 186.
(A De Rosa 37; G Ewing 3-21, S Elston 2-24).
Incorrigibles 187-3.
(R Jeggles 113no, J Hope 33no).
Incorrigibles (20pts) bt Bude (3) by 7 wkts.

Hatherleigh 182-6.
(T Rogers 51, R Fishleigh 47; F James 2-14).
Filleigh 2 186-3 (M Collier 54, J Hill 38no).
Filleigh 2 (20pts) bt Hatherleigh (3) by 7 wkts.

Tiverton & Bickleigh 171-9.
(S Drew 3-33, A Mortimer 2-26, D Edwards 2-18).
Holsworthy 172-7.
(J Tidball 44no, S Drew 40, K Drew 30).
Holsworthy (20pts) bt Tiverton & Bickleigh (7) by 3 wkts.

Division Four:
Cullompton 175.
(H Wood 42, R Martin 23, J Martin 23no; M Ryan 3-27, N Bowen 3-26, H Stockhill 3-19), Lynton & Lynmouth 144.
(S Shambrook 48, G Turner 11; G Norman 3-26, J Martin 2-24).
Cullompton (20pts) bt Lynton & Lynmouth (8) by 31 runs.

Black Torrington 258.
(J Mayne 104, L Cockwill 74: P Cutler 2-29).
Cheriton Fitzpaine 259-5.
(C Sheldrick 44, P Blight 41, P Cutler 38n0).
Cheriton Fitzpaine (20pts) bt Black Torrington (5) by 5 wkts.

Division Five:
Kelseymen 177, North Devon 3 178-8.
(S Rhodes 50no, T Stanton 35).
North Devon 3 (20pts) bt Kelseymen (8) by 2 wkts.

Newton Tracey 214-7.
(G Moore 59, M Cowling 49no; R Pearson 2-12).
Westleigh 2 216-7.
(J Ford 93, L Farrant 25, J Tythcott 22no; J Burford 4-44).
Westleigh 2 (20pts) bt Newton Tracey 2 (7) by 3 wkts.

Bideford 2 276-5.
(A Withecombe 138, J Hocking 32).
Barnstaple & Pilton 3 134.
(S Webber 31; J Hocking 4-35).
Bideford 2 (20pts) bt Barnstaple & Pilton (0) by 142 runs.

Newton Tracey 2 214-7.
(G Moore 59, M Cowling 49no; R Pearson 2-12).
Westleigh 2 216-7.
(J Ford 93, L Farrant 25; J Burford 4-44).
Westleigh 2 (20pts) by Newton Tracey 2 (7) by 3 wkts.

Division Six:
Filleigh 3 144.
(M Mogford 50; C Acton 4-10, S Bailey 2-4).
Bradninch 2 147-9.
(R Acton 55, O Cottrell 18, S Bailey 17, M Bailey 11no; A Webber 3-9).
Bradninch 2 (20pts) bt Filleigh 3 (10) by 1 wkt.

Ilfracombe 2 124.
(M Bush 3-21, F Harding 3-11, T Turner 2-26, J Dowling 1-7).
Halberton 127-3 (K Feaver 51, J Turner 29, D Coles 24).
Halberton (20pts) bt Ilfracombe 2 (3) by 7 wkts.

In other cricket, Bradninch warmed up for Saturday�s Devon League campaign opener against Cornwood with an excellent victory at Budleigh Salterton. The hosts did not have too many of their big guns playing but this is still a moral boosting scalp for the ambitious Kensham Park side.

The hosts batted first and off their 45 overs they totalled 217, losing their last wicket in the final over. Joel Murphy took 5-25 in ten overs whilst Paul Nott took 4-52 including wickets with his last two deliveries and thereby leaving himself on a hat-trick next time out!

The Bradninch reply was led by an opening stand of 97 between Gary Newall (43) & Ross Acton (59) and after Tim Piper had gone cheaply, teenage bat Joe Webb struck a superb unbeaten 55 to take his side to a seven wicket win in the game�s penultimate over.

Cheriton Fitzpaine�s Mike Foan, father of Devon and Sandford player Richard Foan, made a heavyweight start to his cricket season. Taking to the crease for the first time last weekend he cracked a match winning 108 in his side�s win over touring side Bill Owens XI.