DEFENDING champions Heathcoat got the defence of their Brights Motors North Devon League title up and running with an 82-run victory over visitors Bideford.

Heathcoat racked-up an impressive 343 for the loss of five wickets after Division One-winning skipper Christopher Salter won the toss and chose to bat.

There were runs through the card. Top scorer was North Molton Saturday skipper Lewis Hough, who retired when he reached 100. He hit 18 fours and two sixes. There was support from Thomas Holley (67) and Artie Evans (52). 

Bideford captain Jack Ford tried eight bowlers in an attempt to stem the flow. James Hayter (3-78) was the most successful.

Veteran opener James Ford led Bideford’s reply with the top score of the day. His 120 included 14 fours and five sixes. 

Apart from  Olly Hannam (30) there was little support at the other end, as Bideford closed on 261 for five. Henry Cook (4-48) took the bowling honours for Heathcoat.

There was another run fest at Creedy Park, where Sandford defeated visiting North Devon by nine wickets.

Sandford skipper Jon James must have been regretting his decision to bowl as North Devon amassed 316 for seven in their allotted 40 overs.

North Devon opener Jay Rothery led the way with 180. He faced 110 balls, 138 of his runs came in boundaries. By the time Pete Steer (3-57) prised him out, Rothery had been involved in stands worth 287 runs!

Ed Wilson made 30 at the other end from Rothery while adding 115 for the third wicket.

Sandford’s ton-up openers Joe Hopkins (107) and Ben Handley (146no) alleviated their captain's concerns by putting the North Devon bowlers to the sword during a stand of 240.

Hopkins hit 16 fours and a six before he fell to North Devon captain James Tyson. Handley, who plundered four sixes and 15 fours and Tom Gidney (25) shared an unbeaten 80-run partnership, to see their team home with over five overs in hand.

Only Steve Hopkins of the North Devon bowlers went for fewer than six runs an over. The rest will want to forget their figures!