Posted: Monday 22nd May 2006

Source: Stephen Birley

The 1st XI delivered the first win of their A Division campaign at a damp Kensham Park on Saturday. Visitors Bovey Tracey batted first and closed on 150-8 with Sean Nowack taking 3-23. The talking point in terms of the Home bowling was the taking of his first ever A Division wicket by teenage all-rounder Eliot Acton. The skipper�s son went on to finish with a couple of victims recording figures of 2-22.

In the reply Gary Chappell struck 23 and Ross Acton chipped in with 30 but it was South African Nowack who led the side home with an unbeaten 47 with the game being won on 151-5. So: a five-wicket, 19-point haul and 5th place in the fledgling A Division Table.

Skipper Chris Acton said,

�We did well in some very testing conditions. It was great to see Eliot get off the mark with his first senior wickets - the first I am sure, of many. Sean batted very well to guide us home. If I have a �moan� it�s that they probably got 30 more runs than they should have been allowed but that said we did the job, won the game and bagged 19 points in the process so I am a very happy chappy.�

Next up for Acton�s side is a trip to Abbotskerswell who were beaten by a Calitos Lopez inspired Axminster at the weekend and sit two places, and four points behind Bradninch in the table.

Rob Acton half-century and Alex Dunlavey six-wicket haul take 2nds to top of early table.

The 2nd XI made up for the previous week�s frustrating draw with a comfortable win at hosts� Whitchurch. Opening bat Robert Acton continued his fine start to the season with an unbeaten half-century to add to his ton the week before.

Skipper Nat Davey was also amongst the runs, he scored 43 in a total of 136-3 that ensured a seven-wicket win for his side. Earlier Exeter University student Alex Dunlavey took six wickets at a cost of just 26 runs as the Home side were restricted to 135-8.

So a second win in three outings for Nat Davey�s side and a place at the top of the first 2nd XI C Division table of the new campaign.

Next up for Davey�s side is a home game with Kingsbridge who bowled Thorverton out for 147 on Saturday and knocked them off for the loss of seven wickets.

2nd XI all-rounder wins big Football Award

2nd XI all-rounder Liam Raybauld was crowned �Young-Player-of-the-Year� by Cullompton Rangers Football Club after his first season in the Axworthy Devon League side. Raybauld plays in any of the positions across a back four or three centre back system and proved him self equally comfortable playing either at left wing back or wide left.

It was a disappointing season for Cullompton Rangers as they finished in the lower reaches of the Devon County League however Liam stood out and has clearly cemented his place in the side for years to come, unless, that is, football on a higher stage beckons!

North Devon League completely washed out!

The North Devon Cricket League was completely washed out for the week six schedule of matches and by coincidence the same weekend last year was also hit although the second last May weekend in 2005 did see two games have some limited action.

Sunday�s washout at Cullompton denied the North Devon League side the chance to put one over fierce cross-valley rivals Cullompton and now will have to wait until the first Sunday in September when the two sides meet at Kensham Park in the return fixture.

Next weekend sees Bradninch host North Devon at Kensham Park and the full week seven preview is:

After a complete washout on the Sunday of Week 6 North Devon League clubs will be hoping for better weather over the Bank Holiday weekend that sees games being played on all three days.

In the First Division the big game is at North Molton where the two sides topping the table meet with surprise package Filleigh the visitors. Third place Sandford go to Ilfracombe whilst second bottom Barnstaple & Pilton host 5th placed Bideford. Beaford, currently bottom face the daunting prospect of a trip to Instow to meet 4th placed North Devon.

In Division Two, Newton Tracey who share the leadership with non-playing Shobrooke Park, have a double-header weekend with Sunday�s game at 6th placed Incorrigibles followed a day later by a visit from Lynton. Heathcoat, yet to win, try to do so at the fourth time of asking when they host Westleigh.

The two leading sides in the Third Division are both in action. Bradninch entertain 3rd placed North Devon 2 whilst Tiverton & Bickleigh take their 100% record to Filleigh 2 and bottom side Shebbear entertain Sandford with the Creedy Park side currently 6th in the Division.

In Division Four joint leaders Holsworthy and Victoria Park are both away. Holsworthy go to 4th placed Kelseymen and Victoria Park make the trip to Westleigh 2 whilst bottom side Bratton Fleming 2 travel to Bideford 2.

In the Fifth Division Ilfracombe 2 make a belated start to their campaign, they start with a Bank Holiday Monday visit from Black Torrington and another Monday game is at Nomansland where Barnstaple & Pilton 3 are the visitors.

There's no action in the bottom Division on Sunday, the only other game in this section takes place on Saturday at Newton Tracey 2 where the joint leaders host Cheriton Fitzpaine.