This bank holiday weekend saw just the one fixture in the First Division between North Devon and Topsham. On the beautiful, sunny afternoon at Instow, North Devon welcomed Topsham and at the toss, Topsham won and elected to field. 

North Devon went in to bat and their start could not have been more different to the early wicket loss they had against Cornwood last week. Opening the batting, Eluned Davies (55) and Kate Williams (60) put on a first wicket partnership of 139 before Eluned was run out. In fact run outs were to be an overriding theme of the match as with only a 5 run partnership, Kate Williams was also run out with the score of 144. There were to be four further run out wickets during the game, making 6 of 8 wickets taken, run outs. Despite regular loss of wickets, North Devon continued to score runs and they completed their innings on a score of 227, the most economical bowler for Topsham being Maddie Ross, bowling 7 overs for the loss of just 20 runs. 

 

The fielding performance from North Devon however was to be as impressive as the week before, with Ruby Davies (5 overs, 3 wickets, 16 runs) taking the most wickets. Topsham dug in, but could not really build a partnership for the innings and despite a steady 25 off 31 balls from Hannah Clarke, Topsham did not look like they were going to make the total and after 23 overs, they lost all their wickets for a total of 80. With only one game to play, it has not been an easy season for Topsham and they will need a maximum 20 point win in their fixture with Plympton on the 8th September to have any chance of moving out of the relegation position.  North Devon have moved their way up the table and are now only 3 points behind Hatherleigh, who are in 3rd position. This weekend, 1st September, will see Hatherleigh and North Devon meet to see who will take the third position in the table.