Super Sunday for Super 8 Season Opener

The Super 8s season got underway this weekend, with close games, runs galore, and wickets falling left, right, and centre, it was a weekend to remember.

Super 8s Trophy

In the East group, Taunton Deane, Exmouth CC, and Clyst St George faced off, with Taunton emerging as the standout team, winning both matches to top the table with nine points.

Exmouth started strong, bowling out Clyst for 48 before chasing it down in just 4.1 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 30* from Humphreys. Taunton then took on Clyst, piling on 177 with three retirees before dismissing them for 50.

The day ended with a competitive clash between Taunton and Exmouth. Taunton posted 130, with Lily Blackwell retiring once again. Despite Sasha Gerrik’s 30* Exmouth fell 27 runs short.

Out west, the action was set between Hatherleigh, Bovey Tracey, and Plymouth. However, with Plymouth conceding their fixtures, the stage was left for a single decisive clash between Hatherleigh and Bovey.

Bovey Tracey were put in to bat first and posted a solid total of 80 from their allotted 16 overs. Hatherleigh’s chase was anchored by Mia Spears, who guided the innings with a composed 32* before retiring, putting her side in a strong position. Despite a late scare that saw three wickets fall in the space of five balls, Angie Rose kept her cool and struck the winning run, sealing victory for Hatherleigh and taking them to the top of the table.

Super 8s Plate

Over in East Devon, Bradninch played host to Cullompton and Exmouth in a thrilling day of Super 8s action. The opening match saw Exmouth take on the hosts, winning the toss and restricting Bradninch to 88 runs from their 16 overs. Olivia Smith led the charge in the chase, retiring on 32 and guiding Exmouth to a four-wicket win.

Cullompton kicked off their Super 8s campaign in style, overcoming Exmouth by four wickets in their opening match. However, they couldn’t carry the momentum into their final fixture, falling to a 34-run defeat against Bradninch. With several batters retiring across the day, spectators were treated to a run-filled showcase of attacking cricket. Reflecting on the promising start to the season, Cullompton Cricket Club commented: "The 2025 season of women’s hardball cricket is looking bright at Cullompton CC."

It was a soggy start in the West group as the opening clash between Clyst St George and Stoke Gabriel was abandoned after just 1.3 overs due to rain. But once the skies cleared, Bovey Tracey took on Stoke Gabriel in the day’s second game, posting an impressive 120 for 3 in their innings. The match went down to the wire, with Stoke needing just six runs from the final over. However, H. Healey held her nerve, delivering a superb final over that conceded only three runs to clinch a tight win for Bovey.

In the final fixture, Clyst St George faced Bovey Tracey, who were riding high from their earlier win. Clyst were sent in to bat after losing the toss and struggled to find momentum, bowled out for just 48. The star of the innings was Lily Driver, who tore through the lineup with a five-wicket haul, the first "fifer" of the Super 8s season. Bovey chased down the target comfortably in 10 overs, rounding off a perfect day with two wins from two.

League News

Over in Division One, a cancelled game between Plymouth and North Devon saw both teams take home 8 points.

After an exciting start to the Super 8s campaign, all three divisions are back in action next week.