James Greenleaf, who made 43 for Bideford in the win over Nomansland that took them to the top of the NDL Division One table<br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe - no re-use without copyright owner's consent

IT’S tight at the top of Division One in the Blights Motors North Devon League after Bideford’s 58-run victory at Nomansland saw them leapfrog North Devon by two points into pole position.

Bideford scored 238 for seven. Jim Keates top scored with 66, and there was support from Jack Ford (47) and James Greenleaf (43). Marcus Bulled chipped in with a quickfire 30. Thomas Murphy was the home side’s most successful bowler with a stout couple of wickets. It was another Keates that took the bowling plaudits for Bideford, Oliver taking three for 44, as Nomansland were dismissed for 180.

Jacob Cole top scored for Nomansland with 34. The next highest total was 33 extras. Elliot Curry and Damon Berry chipped in with a couple of wickets each.  

Newton Tracey conceded their game with Westleigh

Hatherleigh maintained their 100 percent record in Division Two with a comfortable eight-wicket home victory over Lynton & Lynmouth. Skipper Andy Keach led from the front for the visitors with 45 towards a total of 155 all out. Support came from Dan Godfrey (25),  Jeremy Bingham 21 and veteran Nick Constable (20) down the order.

A couple of wickets each for Ryan Quick and Cam Rowlands, and two run-outs, did the damage for Hatherleigh. 

Rowlands led the chase with 66 not out sharing a 100 partnership with Oscar Moore (53). Hayden Sharp sealed the victory with an 11-ball 26.

Holsworthy entertained Ilfracombe at Stanhope Park and the game produced one of those cricketing rarities: a tied game.

Ten-man Ilfracombe batted first and scored an all-out total of 166, thanks in the main to opener Graham Garner 71. The  next highest was 35 extras. Skipper Ryan Seymour-Smith took three for 38, and there was a couple each for Adam Lovejoy and Nick Ward.

Holsworthy opener Jack Greening led the chase with a run-a-ball 77. Once he was out, Seymour-Smith (19) helped Holsworthy to parity. Garner (3-35), Forhad Miah (3-43) and Sam Chowdhury (3-51) did the damage with the ball. Chowdhury who took the final wicket to tie the game with 10 overs left.

Braunton easily beat Barnstaple & Pilton by nine wickets on the Kelsey ground. B&P batted first and scored 206 for eight in their 40 overs. Runs were shared around. Dom Chugg top scored for the visitors with 39 not out. Skipper Andrew Norman took the bowling honours with three for 36.

Norman, who took an unbeaten ton off Exford seven days earlier, continued his run of form with 117 not out. He shared a 94-run partnership with Charlie Tucker (29) and an unbroken stand of 103 with Sam Reddick (50no). Mystery spinner Tony Gilbert was B&Ps only successful bowler.

Newton Tracey 2nd XI travelled to Westward Ho! to face Victoria Park, and it was the home side that won by sevenwickets.

Newton scored 200 for nine with Oliver Symons (52), Graham Parson (41) and Connor Robson (30) the main contributors. Evan Suggate, Tom Anderson and Ian Brown all took a couple of wickets for the Park. 

Skipper Brown then led the chase with an unbeaten 109, 88 of which came in boundaries (19 fours, two sixes) as Viccy Park ran out comfortable winners. Brown found support from Anderson (23) and Lee Merrick (26no).