Unstoppable North Devon set for Premier Division return

North Devon are as good as promoted back to the Devon Cricket League Premier Division at the first attempt after routing visiting Kilmington by seven wickets. The Instow outfit are 37 points ahead of second-placed Bridestowe and 38 in front of third-in-the-table Torquay & Kingskerswell.

As both chasing clubs are barred from promotion this season – neither ticks all the ECB boxes for Premier cricket – North Devon cannot be denied promotion even if they don’t earn another point!

There is always the possibility of an appeal from the two chasers, but as these are ECB regulations, they probably would not get very far.

Aussie Joel Whelan – what a season he has had for Kilmington – took his league aggregate to 699 runs at an average in the high 50s with a top score of 78 in a 50-over tally of 240 for eight. There was plenty of support down the order, notably from Oli Read (55) and Matt Read (29).

Theo Valeri (3-40) was out in front on the North Devon bowling stats. Will Popham (2-51) and Roshan Lakmal (2-49) played their part.

Wickets fell at 29, 71, and finally 76 in North Devon’s 43-over chase to victory. Dan Bowser (19), Reuben Windlay (16), and skipper Jack Moore (34) laid the foundations. Jack Whittaker (79 not out) and pro Lakmal (76 not out) hoisted 156 unbroken to win it with ease.

Left-hander Whittaker has collected more than 400 A Division runs at an average in the early 50s this term. Moore believes it would be a smart move by the Devon management to have a look at him.

“Jack Whittaker’s knock was as good as I’ve seen in tough conditions,” said Moore. “For an 18-year-old lad to show the maturity and game awareness he did was so good to see. There are a lot of good, young players in Devon League cricket, but I cannot believe he hasn’t even had a text to be around the Devon Lions programme at least.”