TIER THREE – NORTH DIVISION ONE
NORTH Devon 2nd XI stormed to a nine-wicket win over Barnstaple & Pilton in front of a captive audience on-line.
With most cricket in south and west Devon washed out by bad weather, cricket fans were desperate to see some action.
And dozens of them logged into the North Devon CC YouTube channel to watch Barnstaple & Pilton defeated in the derby clash at Instow.
North Devon have a camera on the pavilion roof pointing at the action on the square that uses specialist Action Replay software to broadcast matches.
Archie Popham (3-18) and Simon Wright (3-21) were North Devon’s main wicket takers as B&P were held to 109 for eight in 33 overs.
James Roe (12) and Rob Holm (18) put on 37 for the third wicket and the total was further boosted by a patient stand of 33 between keeper Dom Chugg (19no) and Tim Norton (16).
Barnstaple & Pilton did not have the bowling attack to restrain North Devon for long. After openers Joe Kelly (21) and Reuben Windley (39no) put on 31 in a hurry, Tom Ansell (41no) wrapped up the chase.
Lee Cole, the Barnstaple & Pilton captain, said there could be no excuses from his side.
“To bat first at Instow and only score 109 was always going to be difficult,” said Cole.
“It showed from the start that a lot of our players had not netted which showed in the difference between the teams.
“Fair play to North Devon 2nds; they totally deserved to win.
“Now we look forward to our home game with Bideford on Saturday when, hopefully, we can put up a much better fight
“I must add it was just good to be back playing again.”
North Devon 2nd XI are away to Braunton this Saturday.
TIER THREE – NORTH DIVISION ONE
BIDEFORD opened their programme in North Division One with a 37-run win over Braunton at Westward Ho!
Jack Ford hit a top score of 49 for Bideford in their 40-over total of 197 for four.
Ford, who went in first wicket down at 28, put on 58 with James Hayter (28)_ and 49 with dad James Ford (25).
Ashley Baker (32no) and Ollie Hannam (18no) were there at the end for Bideford.
Jon Baglow (2-41) and James Lake (2-25) were the Braunton wicket takers.
Sam Bithell (21) and Callum Mitchell (40) made early runs for Braunton, but a dip from 69 for two to 88 for five harmed their chase.
Although Baglow (30) tried to salvage the situation, no, one else in the middle order made a double-figure score as Braunton slowed to 160 for nine.
Man of the match Jack Ford (4-31) together with Jamie Lathwell (2-13) and Tom Brend (2-29) did most of the damage with the ball for Bideford.
Alex Hannam, the Bideford captain, was happy with the all-round performance from his side.
“I was pleased to see everyone that batted made a contribution,” said captain Hannam.
“The innings was timed perfectly with the top order setting a foundation that allowed the middle order to accelerate at the end.
“Our bowlers – especially Lathwell, Brend and Ford – bowled really well and we always had them well below the rate.”
