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SUNDAY, AUGUST 19

NEWTON Tracey are the new leaders of the North Devon League and they are now in pole position to go on and claim the Sunday Leagues top honour.

The 2006 Division Two winners are now top of the table by the smallest of margins - .03 of a point but with four games to play they know that four wins and even if North Devon win their last two then the title will be staying at Newton Tracey for the duration of the winter months.

It was a case of TOP GEAR for the new leaders at Creedy Park on Sunday. Rob Gear bagged four wickets as hosts Sandford were bowled out for 149 and then Simon Gear hit a superb 73 to guide his side to a six wicket success.   Richard Tucker (45) and Nigel Ashplant (27) were the principle scorers in the Creedy Park sides 149, Simon Ashplant picked up two of the visiting wickets to fall.

This coming Sunday Newton Tracey go to struggling Beaford – North Devon have a tricky looking tie at Filleigh and then on September 2nd Tracey host the current Champions North Molton, on September 8th they travel to Barnstaple & Pilton and if it is to be Newton Tracey's title then they will claim it on Saturday September 15th with the visit of relegated Ilfracombe. North Devon's other remaining game is a September 9th trip to Sandford.

The top-flight games at Filleigh and Ilfracombe were both washed out – spare a though for Barnstaple & Pillton, the loss of their game at Filleigh was the 10th time in fourteen matchdays that they have been washed out this soggy season.

 

 

IN Division Two Shobrooke Park gave their relegation battle a major boost as they claimed only a second win of the season by beating visiting Westleigh by five wickets.

Ben Trenaman took 4-8 in 8.1 overs and John Sweeney claimed 2-21 in 9 as the visitors were bowled out for 128 with Danny Tresgaskis (39) and James Ford (24) the principle scorers.

Rob Newall then hit 51 and Brian Randall 24 to guide their side to the win.

Also in Division Two non-playing leaders Bradninch moved ever nearer the title and yet another promotion as Victoria Park went down by six wickets at Knightshayes.

Harry Frankpitt took four wickets and Martyn Williams three as the visiting side were bowled out for 167. Colin Bettis top scored with 74.

Joe Smith (63) and Sean Dick (41) led their side to a third win of the campaign and a mid table berth.

Holsworthy won by 89 runs at Bude after they scored 204, led by an unbeaten 70 from Steve Drew, Rob Dow then took three wickets as did Colin Walters and the home side closed on 115-8.

Jamie Overton hit 48 in North Devon II's 159 at Morebath, the home side winning by eight wickets. Filleigh II are close to the title, they picked up a win courtesy of Tiverton & Bickleigh being unable to raise a side and a win in their final game on September 8th when Bude visit, will confirm them as Champions of the Division.

 

TIVERTON & Bickleigh couldn't raise a side to fulfil their engagement at Division Three leaders Filleigh II but Morebath managed to get a game in and Tim Hill's all-round contribution inspired the side to an eight wicket win.

Hill bagged a brace of wickets as the visiting side were bowled out for 159 and then Hill with an unbeaten 40 and Lee Hooper (76) led their side to victory.

 

LYNTON & Lynmouth's last game of the season in Division Four ended in defeat at Cheriton but they did have a young man play an exceptional innings.

Twelve year old Lawrence May struck a cameo 15 that had host skipper Charles Sheldrake saying: “The young lad batted beautifully, I wish some of my batsmen could display such a perfect straight bat!”.

Young May's 15 apart only Matt Ryan (20) made any impression as Lynton were bowled out for 106 facing the home side's 244-5.

Dave Carr had a fine all round game for Cheriton, he top scored with 79 in a total of 244-5. Sheldrake hit 40 and Ben Coe chipped in with 46.

Carr took 3-26 and Phil Cutler also picked up three wickets as Lynton & Lynmouth II were dismissed 138 runs short.

Cheriton sit second in the table and the only remaining game in the section is the 1st versus 3rd meeting and the only way that Cheriton can be denied is if Shebbear win the September 9th game and hosts Bratton Fleming get 10 points in defeat for that would leave the Cherries finishing 3rd, however any other result and Cheriton will start next summer in Division Three.

North Devon III's were six wicket winners at Instow against Westleigh II. Charles Purkiss hit 63 as the visitors were bowled out for 167, Craig Overton taking 4-11 in five overs and Colin Payne 3-12. Tom Stanton then hit 42 and Scott Amos chipped in with 34 as the home side got home with overs and wickets to spare.

 

 

DIVISION Six leaders Halberton & Sampford Peverell were gifted a win when Bradninch II couldn't raise a side and that confirms Dan Coles' side as being promoted at the first time of asking.