Champions Bovey make it nine from nine
Bovey Tracey marked their final home game of the season with a 22-run victory over Exmouth before celebrating their Division Three title together at their home club.
Already confirmed as champions, Bovey maintained their perfect league record with a ninth win from nine matches, posting 186 for four from their 30 overs before restricting Exmouth to 164 for five.
Olive McCauley continued her outstanding season with an unbeaten 73 from 75 balls, striking eight fours. It took her Division Three tally to 432 runs at an average of 86.40, comfortably clear at the top of the competition’s run-scoring charts.
After Amelie Webber fell early, McCauley and Emily Martin put the innings back on track. Martin made 37 from 53 balls before being bowled by Tory Bloom, while Isabelle Bradley chipped in with 22.
It has been a strong season throughout Bovey’s top order. Webber has 245 league runs and Martin 234, meaning the champions have three of Division Three’s top four run-scorers.
Sharon Dawkins was the pick of the Exmouth attack with two for 30 from six overs, while Bloom returned one for 13 from three.
Exmouth lost Katelyn Hibell early in reply but Sarah Strode and Louise Timlin rebuilt well. Strode top-scored with 41, Timlin made 27 and Anna Higgins added 31 to keep the visitors in the contest.
Bovey, though, never really allowed the chase to get away from them. Isabella Baker was particularly economical, taking one for 11 from six overs, while Libby Hooper and Lauren Ellis also picked up wickets.
Exmouth finished on 164 for five, leaving Bovey with another win and the perfect opportunity to celebrate their title together following their final home fixture.
The champions now have 163 points from nine straight victories and finish their league season away to Exmouth on September 12, when they will have the chance to complete an unbeaten campaign.
Gardener stars as Holsworthy climb to fourth
Holsworthy moved up to fourth in Division Three with a convincing nine-wicket victory over Chagford, with Jodie Gardener producing the standout bowling performance.
Chagford were dismissed for 94 in 23.4 overs. Brianna Barlow-Endacott provided the main resistance with a brisk 27 from 24 balls, while Millie Goodhand made 19 and Lily Finlay added 10.
Finlay has been one of Chagford’s most consistent performers this season and remains second in the Division Three batting standings with 247 runs.
Gardener was outstanding with the ball, taking four for six from six overs, including two maidens, to move on to 12 wickets for the season.
Freya Godfrey and Layla Godfrey gave her excellent support with two wickets apiece. Freya now has 14 league wickets and Layla 13, leaving the pair second and third respectively in the division’s bowling standings.
With Gardener also among the leading wicket-takers, Holsworthy have had plenty of strength with the ball this season.
They then made light work of the chase.
Hannah Steadman anchored the innings with an unbeaten 42 from 64 balls as Holsworthy put on 80 for the first wicket. Poll made 29, including five fours, before Barlow-Endacott finally made the breakthrough.
Freya Godfrey then joined Steadman to finish the job, Holsworthy reaching 97 for one in 18.3 overs.
The win took Holsworthy to 88 points and lifted them into fourth place, 17 points ahead of Exmouth.
Those two sides meet at Stanhope Park on September 6 in a game which could go a long way towards deciding who finishes fourth, while Chagford complete their season away to second-placed Ottery St Mary on the same afternoon.
Please leads Ottery recovery in win over Bradninch
Alice Please struck a half-century as Ottery St Mary recovered from a disastrous start to beat Bradninch & Kentisbeare by 22 runs and strengthen their grip on second place.
Ottery lost Lily Harlond and Melissa Wall with no runs on the board, but recovered well to post 169 from 24.4 overs.
Olivia Morgan began the rebuilding job with a lively 24 from 17 balls before Please took control through the middle of the innings.
She struck eight fours and a six in an excellent 54 from 45 deliveries, while Abi Joint added a useful 22 as Ottery turned the innings around.
Faye Ross was the pick of the Bradninch attack with three for 25, taking her to 11 wickets for the season. Jess Phillips claimed two for 24 and Abby Hayes two for 32.
Bradninch were immediately put under pressure in reply when Fi Moran fell without scoring.
Emma Farley made 15, Phillips and Colette Bamber both scored 16 and Ross top-scored with 22, but Ottery continued to make regular breakthroughs and never allowed a partnership to take control of the chase.
Darcy Jones led the way with an excellent three for 14 from six overs, while Alice Gregory also picked up three wickets.
Gregory now has 12 league wickets for the season, with Harlond on 11 and Jones on 10, another sign of the depth Ottery have had with the ball.
Harlond, Morgan and Rosie Nancekivell also took a wicket apiece as Bradninch were bowled out for 147 in 29.4 overs.
The victory moved Ottery onto 124 points from nine matches and secured second place behind champions Bovey Tracey, with Bradninch having completed their ten league games on 107.
Ottery finish their campaign at home to Chagford on September 6, with the chance to round off an impressive first season in Division Three with a seventh league victory.
