SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 & SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9
SANDFORD'S Richard Foan hit a spectacular century to settle this year's North Devon League title race, handing the silverware to Newton Tracey who at the same time were wrapping up the North Devon League knock out Cup at Barnstaple & Pilton with a 143-run win over Holsworthy.
Foan bludgeoned his way to a 41-ball ton, he reached 50 off 23 balls then raced to his century from just another 18 deliveries as he dispatched the North Devon bowling to all parts of the Creedy Park ground. Postman Foan hit 14 fours and six sixes.
Richard Tucker hit 40 and the Mid-Devon side passed the North Devon offering of 199-7 inside 28 overs!
Earlier, Matt Westaway hit an unbeaten 54 and Dave Tribe 38 but Simon Ashplant claimed three wickets including that of Stuart Rhodes for a duck!
North Devon had gone into their final game knowing that only a win would keep their title hopes burning, but defeat means that even if Newton Tracey lose their final game to the second of the relegated sides, Ilfracombe, then they will still win the title by virtue of a better points difference.
Newton Tracey put themselves in the driving seat the day before with a 62-run win over Barnstaple & Pilton.
The day after Newton Tracey had nudged closer to the title they returned to Barum's ground to take on Holsworthy in the KO Cup final and duly dispatched Holsworthy by a whopping 143-runs.
Simon Gear and Richard Screech gave their side the perfect start as they put on 180 for the opening wicket. Screech carried his bat for a magnificent unbeaten 115, Gear hit 99 and their side were able to close on a formidable 298-4.
Gear and Steve Bater then both took three wickets as Holsworthy were bowled out for 155. A delighted Gear, when asked how it felt to lead the side to the double said: “I am so pleased for my side. We gave a great mix in the dressing room. Mind you a good team win the league in a single season, a great team win it the following year and so we'll be looking to repeat this success next season, then we'll be able to be considered a great team – that's my ambition for this smashing set of lads”.
Both Bradninch and Lynton & Lynmouth will be meeting Newton Tracey in the top flight next summer but as yet the destiny of the Division Two title is undecided.
The top two met in Mid Devon on Saturday and the visiting side came out on top with a comprehensive 95 run win. Ed Yep (88) and Mike Eeles (58) led their side to 254-8, three wickets for Simon Bailey for Bradninch who could only muster 159 in their reply.
Teenager Eliot Acton top scored with a half century and whilst this defeat leaves Lynton & Lynmouth with the ‘bragging rights', the title remains Bradninch's to lose for both teams have one to play, Lynton & Lynmouth travel to Barnstaple & Pilton on Saturday and 24 hours later Bradninch entertain Victoria Park.
The Mid Devon side go into the weekend with a lead that measures just .05 of a point and so if both teams win their respective games then Bradninch will claim the title by one of the smallest ever winning margins.
Filleigh II duly picked up the title of Division Three champions thanks to a five-wicket Saturday win over Bude. Andrew De Rosa hit a superb unbeaten 126 that included five sixes and sixteen 4's, Sam Hockin chipped in with 38 and Bude closed on 218-7 but then Simon Prideaux his 56 and his brother Mark scored one more for an unbeaten 57 to take their side to a five wicket win and the Divisional top honour.
Bratton Fleming II won the Fourth Division with a home win over Shebbear. The college side were bowled out for just 90, Andy Tunnicliffe taking 4-10 from nine overs and then skipper Steve Ayre cracked an unbeaten 66 to lead his side to glory, the win by a margin of six wickets.
Bideford II won the Division Five crown thanks to a win at North Devon but Bishop Nympton suffered what may well prove to be a terminal defeat, terminal that is to their hopes of a second successive promotion as they lost at Newton Tracey II by two wickets and as a result slip out of the promotion places to be replaced by – Newton Tracey II. Thirteen year old Toby Lockhead had a good game for the losers. He top scored with 73 in his side's 170 and then bagged a brace of wickets but the home side prevailed thanks to Graham Moore's 86.
Division Six was claimed by Weare Giffard who completed their first season in the league by winning the bottom division without losing a game. Their final engagement saw them thrash hapless Ilfracombe II by nine wickets.