North Devon's Navindu Vanerbona, who made a maiden 1st XI half-century in the win over Budleigh <br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe – no re-use without copyright owner's consent

BY CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

NORTH Devon’s promotion bandwagon rolls on thanks to a six-wicket win over Budleigh Salterton in the Sandhills.

Top two North Devon (178pts) and Torquay & Kingskerswell (175) are so far ahead of everyone else in the A Division they look nailed-on for promotion.

The two sides meet at Torquay Recreation Ground this Saturday in what could be the title decider.

This game was third-placed Budleigh’s chance to stay in contention, but they had to win to do that.

Budleigh are still third in the standings, but the 45 points between them and Torquay & Kingskerswell looks too wide to bridge… at the moment. A North Devon win over T&K this Saturday could give the Otters fresh hopes.

North Devon’s bowlers had Budleigh under the cosh at 59 for five before Sam Whitehead (53) and Jack England (56) revived fortunes with a stand of 108. Harvey Shipton was 23 not out in a final total of 204 for seven.

Budleigh only got loose change out of North Devon’s bowlers, none of whom cost more than five runs an over. Definate Mawadzi (4-29) was the leading wicket-grabber.

“The bowlers were superb in tough conditions,” said North Devon captain Jack Moore.

“And it needed a special effort from Richard Screech keep wicket as well as he did in 30 degree heat, and to remove dangerous Harry Hughes with a stumping even Rob Ayre would have been proud of.”

Ayre (pictured, left) was a long-standing North Devon keeper and captain who was at the helm when the club won the Premier Division title for the first time in 2007.

North Devon openers Jay Rothery and Navindu Vanderbona took contrasting approaches to whittling away the target.

Rothery made 35 of the first 47 wiped off during 28 balls in the middle. By the time Vanderbona was fourth out for 66, the target was 22 to win. Skipper Moore (21) and Jack Whittaker (33) jogged along with Vanderbona.

“Navindu scoring his first 50 in the ‘ones’ was great to see,” said More. “I am sure there will be a few more to come.”

Ed Doble, the Budleigh captain, had no problems identifying his side’s shortcomings.

“We did not score enough runs on a good enough pitch,” said Doble. “Jack and Sam battled to get us up to a total, but not enough.”