Bideford carry-off North Devon T20 Cup | King clatters six on to go-kart track to clinch victory over North Devon

BIDEFORD cruised to a seven-wicket win over North Devon CC in Sunday’s final of the North Devon T20 Cup at Westward Ho!

North Devon, who overcame Hatherleigh by seven wickets earlier in the day to reach the final, were all out for 137 in the afternoon showdown.

Jack Moore was the stand-out batter for North Devon – he hit 68 – but apart from Fred King’s 23, he got little support.

Matt Shepherd took four for 23, and there were a couple each for Jack Ford, and Steve Bond. Outstanding fielding – one ‘grab’ by Oli Hannam had older brethren purring in delight – backed-up a strong bowling effort by North Devon.

Shepherd started the chase with 37, James Hayter hit 42, and Ford an unbeaten 30 as Bideford won it with four and a half overs in hand. Josh King hit his one delivery into the Go-Karts  to win the game in style, to the delight of the partisan crowd.

Host club Bideford made sure of their place in the final with a 166-run win over depleted Barnstaple & Pilton in a one-sided morning semi-final, watched by a crowd of around 250.

Perhaps the B&P bowlers were dazzled by Bideford’s snazzy blue-and-yellow kit? Whatever the reason they were put to the sword as the home side rattled along to an impressive 249 for two.

Openers Shepherd (51) and Oliver Hannam (71) went along at 10 an over. After Shepherd was dismissed, skipper Jack Ford hit an unbeaten 105 off 47 balls. Ford’s knock included nine sixes and five fours.

Barnstaple & Pilton offered little resistance against tight bowling and excellent fielding by Bideford. Joe Hastie’s 51 was as good as it got in a total of 83 for seven. 

Jimmer Thomas, the B&P captain, bemoaned the loss of four players to injury overnight – and the unavailability of ‘mystery spinner’ Tony Gilbert.

The lunchtime semi-final between Hatherleigh and North Devon was a more even affair.

Hatherleigh scored 152 for eight. At one stage they were on target for 200-plus as Jasper Presswell (46) and Emmerson Wood (40) put on 97 for the third wicket.

The introduction of veteran seamer Simon Wright (3-26) put the brakes on. He was backed-up by Jools Hughes, whose four overs cost  21.

North Devon reached their target with more than six overs to spare. Jay Rothery (47) and Moore (41) led the chase. Rueben Windley to hit an unbeaten 57 – 50 in boundaries – to seal the win.

[O] Special thanks to Bideford CC groundsman Steve Moore, who worked tirelessly all day, umpires Graham Moore, Alec Pickersgill and Dave Staddon together with scorers Gary Hudson, Sue Tidball, and Lucy Tyson.