Devon Cricket League season poised at halfway stage

We have reached halfway in the Premier Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League and there is a definite split developing.

Five teams appear locked in a race for the title, with only 18 points separating Sandford at the top from Heathcoat and Sidmouth in fourth and fifth. Cornwood and champions Bradninch & Kentisbeare make up the quintet.

Bovey Tracey and Exmouth are two sides marooned in the middle, with just nine points between North Devon at the bottom and Paignton in eighth. Those two clubs sandwich Plympton.

The key clash at the top saw Sandford overpower Cornwood with a dominant bowling display. James Theedom led the way with 3-37, as Cornwood spluttered to 96 all out. A fine 76 from opener Daniel Ward was backed up by an unbeaten 85 from Dikshanshu Negi, as Sandford comfortably reached the target.

After a shaky start, Bradninch & Kentisbeare are beginning to show their quality, although they would have liked a stronger first innings at home to Heathcoat. Yuvraj Singh (73) and Ross Acton (51) guided them to a mediocre 215.

Heathcoat, however, lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed 52 runs short on 163, with Singh taking four wickets for B&K.

North Devon are another side finding some form after a brutal opening to the campaign. Travelling to Plympton for an early relegation tussle, North Devon toiled badly with the bat and must have feared the worst when capitulating to 101 all out.

However, when it comes to the pain of a batting collapse, Plympton showed them how it is done properly. The hosts plunged from 32-1 to 66 all out, with North Devon using just two bowlers; Jack Popham (6-34) and Josh King (4-30).

Centuries from Bryce Parsons (161) and Taylor Ingham-Hill (100) gave Sidmouth an impressive 70-run victory at Paignton and Bovey Tracey’s target of 223 was chased down by a clinical Exmouth batting display, losing just three wickets in their successful pursuit.