E DIVISION – WEEK FIVE
ROBOROUGH remain unbeaten after a comfortable seven-wicket success over visiting Kentisbeare, who were bundled out for just 109. Libby McCartney (51) was responsible for very nearly half of his side's meagre total.
No one else made any sort of impression with the bat as Rob Baker (4-21), Simon Light (2-17) and skipper Greg Bridget (2-17) combined to whip the visitors out in just 34 overs.
Just three wickets were lost, and only 18 overs needed, for the home side to claim a maximum point's haul.
Brain Gaylard provided the early runs with 24 and the game was closed out by Chris Fell (26no) and Ben Wilkinson (12no). Kentisbeare bowler John Parkin claimed 2-13 in 4.4 overs.
HALBERTON were the day's biggest climbers, rising off the foot of the table whilst claiming their first victory of the season, thanks to a fine innings from skipper Dan Coles in a five-wicket win at home to Exeter Civil Service.
The visitors batted first and reached maximum batting points just before losing their final, wicket to close with 204.
Harry Wells-Forrester top scored with 51 whilst other major contributions came from Dan Maytum (47) and Greg Newcombe (43). Harry Rose also chipped in with 24.
Fred Harding led the wicket taking with 4-62, skipper Coles claimed 3-66 and there were also a couple of wickets for Dave Kruge.
At 77 for four the Halberton reply was in some trouble, but captain Coles steadied things, first adding 88 for the fifth wicket with Kevin Fever (39) then, helped by Alan Broomfield (15no) he saw his side to that elusive first victory.
There were other useful contributions in the run chase from Greg Maher (38) and Tom Sambrook (25). Paul Skidmore was the pick of the visiting bowlers with 3-59.
A relieved Coles said: “We did not play any where near as well as I know we can - and I do not doubt we will probably play better than we did and lose.
“In our situation it was more a case of any win will do, hopefully to kick-start our campaign.”
DAVE Harkness top scored for Countess Wear as they took the lion's share of the points in a draw with visiting Whimple.
Harkness (66), Kaveenga Dias (40no), Tom Brooks (19) and 20 extras helped to take the home side to 179-6.
Three Wear wickets fell to Dan Van Grudgings (3-37) whilst Adam Holmes took 2-33 for Whimple,
Whimple really struggled with the bat, labouring to 109-8. Richard Brown was still there at the death, unbeaten on 36 whilst Mike Searle chipped in with 26.
Steve Holland (3-40), Mark Davey (2-18) and Gavin Darke (2-13) took the wickets for the Exeter side, who are still seeking their first win of the campaign.
PHIL Tansley was the match-winning star for Honiton as they beat Woodbury by 45 runs at Mountbatten Park.
Tansley (69) and Rob Ingram (40) put on 80 priceless runs for the seventh wicket to enable the home side to post a competitive total of 182-9.
The bulk of the top-order runs came from skipper Pete Matravers with 31. James Taylor took 3-44 and Kevin Miller 2-45 but it was James Kavanagh who produced the stand out figures of 4-10 from four overs as he took full advantage of being in the attack during the closing overs when the Mountbatten Park men were looking to put fast runs on the board.
When the visitors batted they looked very comfortable on 75 for the loss of just two batsmen but then suddenly lost six for the addition of only ten runs and from 85-8 limped to an all out total of 137 in the 34 th over.
Kavanagh top scored with 53, He was put down by the Honiton skipper before going on to register a half-century. Kavanagh was finally out, much to Matravers' relief, when he followed one down the leg side that keeper George Meadows took. Kavanagh did not wait for the umpire's decision before starting the walk back to the pavilion.
Ingram took 2-6 and Kev Kelly claimed 3-47, but it was Tansley who delivered the serious blows with 5-42.
Matravers said: “It was good, all-round cricket by the side. We were in trouble with half the side back in the hutch but Phil (Tansley) and Rob (Ingram) dug us out of trouble, helped us to set a target and then the pair played big roles with Kev Kelly with the ball to bring us victory.”
LEADERS Ashburton were the side left with no fixture following the withdrawal of Dawlish & Teignmouth. But their position at the top remains after most of the leading sides failed to gain wins.