Kamunhukamwe (pictured) belts 140 for Cully in big derby win | Butler unlucky to miss out on ton for Heathcoat

CULLOMPTON’S Tinashe Kamunhukamwe slapped Heathcoat’s bowling all around Knightshayes – and out of it at times – on the way to a match-winning century in the mid-Devon derby.

Heathcoat made what looked like a respectable total of 264 for nine in their full 50 overs.

Dan Butler, batting first wicket down, was the fifth man out on 232 with 99 next to his name in the scorers’ laptops.

Butler and Jeremy Bedford (41) put on 88 for the third wicket and there were top-up runs from captain Jamie Drew (45) in the last 10 overs.

Seven bowlers had a trundle for Cullompton. Only James Vincent (3-49) took more than two wickets. Jason Parr (2.10) was particularly hard to score against.

Dan King, who is Cullompton’s post-match summariser, said: “Our bowlers did really well to restrict them to 263.

“Jason Parr and debutant Jacob Huntley (2-33) bowled exceptionally up front. And our spinners did well to restrict them to what was a gettable total on that wicket.”

“Dan Butler batted brilliantly and was unfortunate not to bring up three figures,” said captain Drew.

Harry Everett was an early casualty when Cullompton batted, not that it did Heathcoat much good.

Kamunhukamwe, a former Zimbabwe international, was the only other batsman Heathcoat dismissed as Cullompton raced to an eight-wicket win.

The game was won and lost during a 177-run stand between Kamunhukamwe and Harry Gillam, who is playing regular Pathway cricket over the border with Somerset CCC.

Kamunhukamwe thwacked 22 fours and four sixes – that’s 112 in boundaries – from 105 balls faced as he hurtled to 140.

Gillam made 85 not out and was there at the end when Dan King took a single off Joe Parkinson to win it.

Said King: “ Tinashe and Harry played special innings in different ways,” said King.

“It is not often you see two innings as clinical and dominating as that in the one match.”

Drew tipped his cap in Cully’s direction, but had some harsh words for his team.

“Coming off at half way we were pretty happy with the total set,” said Drew.

“We normally back ourselves to defend whatever we set but, for the second week running, that didn’t go to plan. 

“Once again we did not got going with the ball. The Cully boys batted really well and took the game away from us quite quickly. 

“The lack of fight shown on the pitch was disappointing. There are still plenty of improvements needed in all aspects.”