HATHERLEIGH sprang the shock of the day in the Premier Division when they defeated North Devon by six wickets.

Sean Letheren steamed in to take five wickets for 31 runs as the Premier Division new boys dismissed North Devon for 220.

Opener Danny Forrester made 71 and Ryan Davies was 47 not out as Hatherleigh sailed home with more than three overs to spare.

Statistically, newly promoted teams have similar survival rates as First World War fighter pilots – three out of for of them don’t make it to the end of their first tour.

Mark Lake, the Hatherleigh captain, said pre-season his team were aiming to defy the odds.

“I did say we would surprise a few,” said Lake.

North Devon were racking up the runs while Tom Ansell (64), Dan Bowser (33) and Aussiew newcomer Adrian Isherwood (50) were in residence.

Letheren started his second spell by dispatching Isherwood, then took three more in a hurry.

North Devon were 182 for four before Ishwerood went. They lost six wickets for 38 runs on their way to 220 all out.

Hatherleigh were thoroughly businesslike in their approach to knocking off the runs. Opener Danny Forerester (71) took them to 128 for two when he and Zipo Zondo (38) went one after the other.

Gareth Tidball (27) and Ryan Davies (47no) ended the game as contest with a fourth-wicket stand of 58.

Said Lake: ““It was a great comeback considering at halfway we were looking at chasing 300-plus.

“We stuck at it and managed to peg them back.

“Sean was brilliant in his second spell and everyone else bowled Ttidy spells.

“Batting was a great collective effort and to chase over 200 is a good chase.

“North Devon were a bowler short, which helped, but I can't see their batting getting any stronger

“It was a decent team and I am over the moon with the result.”