Bideford clinches North Devon League title with emphatic win

Bideford clinch North Devon League title Bideford’s 122-run win over Heathcoat clinched the Blights Motors North Devon League Division One title.

Bideford and Belstone, the top two in Division One, were both in action in the latest round of fixtures – and both won. Although Belstone were too strong for Nomansland, they cannot catch Bideford in what’s left of the season.

Bideford, under skipper James Greenleaf, had an easy win over Heathcoat at Westward Ho!

Jack Ford got the Bideford innings off to a decent start with a run-a-ball 63. Ewan Williams (51) and 30 extras helped Bideford to a total of 203 for nine. Matt Harrison (3-16) was the pick of the Heathcoat bowlers.

Heathcoat couldn’t cope with the Bideford bowlers. Richard Pugsley top-scored with 29, and Artie Evans contributed 20, but no one else reached double figures as they slumped to 81 all out. Giles Bashford (4-40) was the stand-out Bideford bowler. Every bowler Greenleaf used took a wicket!

Belstone won at a canter by six wickets at Nomansland, who batted first and posted 205 for nine. Elliot Cole scored 51 and shared a 111-run partnership with Ash Wreford (40). Jack Harber (33), and 46 extras helped the cause, Belstone skipper Matt Dennis used seven bowlers to keep the home side in check. Shaquan Glasgow – three for 19 from eight overs – took the honours. James Ewan led the Belstone chase from the front with an unbeaten 103. He hit two sixes and 11 fours from 75 balls faced as the Foxes reached their target in the 26th over. Elliot Cole took three for 37 for the home side.

Lynton & Lynmouth were comfortable eight-wicket winners over visiting Ilfracombe in the North Devon derby.

Ilfracombe were all out for 127. Sam Chowdhury and Jay Thakur both scored 25 for Combe, although 28 extras topped them both. Tristan Jones, Robin Holland, and Mike Cornish all took a couple of wickets for Lynton. Three run-outs helped!

Barnaby Hayward (69no) and David Brierley (25no) knocked off the runs with ease in 21 overs.

Braunton chasing double promotion Braunton, already certain of promotion from the C Division East, had a day off as the soggy state of the Kelsey ground ruled out any action against Heathcoat II. Braunton are in touching distance of a promotion double this season as the second XI only need five points from their last-day meeting with Honiton to secure one of the top-two spots in the E Division East.