Title hopes dashed by third defeat

By arjones

THERE may be three months and 11 games to go, but North Devon skipper Matt Dart has already admitted defeat in the Division One title race.

Sunday's defeat to Heathcoat at Instow was a third this season in the North Devon Holiday Homes League top flight.

And that is one too many for Dart given they only lost twice last year but still finished second to Sandford.

"The title race is over for us now, so it's a case of getting the kids in and finishing mid-table," said the captain.

"This will be a building year now. We've got some colts coming through and when they're not playing for Devon they will play for us on a Sunday.

"We had two big scores against Bideford (313-4) and Newton Tracey (284-4) early on but in the last two games, against Victoria Park (226-6) and Heathcoat (196), we haven't scored enough runs on wickets that have been beautiful for batting."

Those last two games have ended in defeats by five wickets and, on Sunday, eight wickets.

Pete Moisan (3-35) and Quasim Adams (3-37) kept chipping away at North Devon and they were bowled out for under 200. Warren Miller hit 70 but the next highest contribution was Stewart Rhodes' 39.

Heathcoat's reply was all about Sam Medley — who eight hours earlier was in Yorkshire, where he plays on Saturdays. Medley dashed south and barely changed gear as Heathcoat raced to victory in 32 overs and he finished unbeaten on 102.

"We didn't bowl badly and didn't field badly. We just didn't score enough runs on a wicket as good as Instow — we were probably 50 or 60 below par," said Dart.

"It was gutting really, but we've got Lynton and Lynmouth on Sunday and hopefully we'll be able to bounce back."

Lynton made it two wins out of two as Dave Proctor (36no) and Lloyd Alley (47no) led them to a seven-wicket win at Newton Tracey.

Chasing the hosts' 202-9, Lynton lost Steve Hunt to the first ball of their innings.

Graham Fitt (77) and Ian Hobbs (23) regained control before Proctor and Alley finished the job.

Simon Gear (48) top scored for Newton Tracey and was helped out by Phil Steward (32), John Warmsley (26no) and John Turner (26). But with Lynton skipper Matt Ryan (2-57) and Ali Lloyd (2-18) among the wickets, their target was never likely to be enough.

South African all-rounder Tianne Mostert turned Victoria Park's game at Sandford on its head.

The visitors were romping along at 174-2 after Neil and Marc Bettiss had put on 160 for the second wicket, with Neil hitting 90 (13 fours and a six) and Marc 66 (eight fours and a six).

But Mostert took 5-30 as Victoria Park lost seven wickets for nine runs and were bowled out for 201.

League champions Sandford cruised to an eight-wicket victory in just 28 overs, with Richard Tucker caught behind for 99 and Mostert finishing on 59 not out.

Barnstaple and Pilton and Morebath were denied the chance to make up ground on top two Braunton and Bratton Fleming as the Division Two programme was washed out.

Newton Tracey 2nds fell just 18 runs short against Lynton and Lynmouth 2nds despite only having 10 players for their North Devon Holiday Homes Division Four clash.

Lynton's 112 all out — built around 46 from Steve Hobbs — proved to be enough.

Connor Constable then knocked over the Newton Tracey tail, taking 3-6 in three overs to dismiss them for 94.

Oli Simmonds made more than half Newton Tracey's runs — he was out for 52.

Kelseymen upset second-placed Cheriton Fitzpaine, bowling them out for just 113 having posted 136.

Barney Huxtable fell one short of a half-century in the Braunton side's effort and then took 2-4 as only John Pitt (21) of the Cheriton batsmen made it past 20. Mark Mitchell was the leading Kelseymen bowler, taking 3-21.

Victoria Park 2nds lost a host of players to the first team and suffered a seven-wicket home defeat to Halberton.

Ian Brown (40), debutant Nigel Taylor (30), Mark Stephens (27) and Tim Lane (21) all chipped in to Victoria Park's 186-9. But the bowlers were unable to shackle Australian Greg Maher who hit 81 before Jez Turner (33no) and Jim Cooper (26no) saw Halberton home.

Taylor capped a successful first appearance for Victoria Park with 2-38.

Rob Ayre hit a half-century as North Molton maintained their grip on second place in Division Five.

Ayre, who captains North Devon in the Devon League, scored 63 in Molton's 182 at home against Petrockstowe. Charlie Down then took 4-16 as the visitors were dismissed for 123.

"I expect North Molton will be trying to get promoted and they're going okay so far," said Ayre.

"They've got some good young players."

An unbeaten 49 by John Brierley saw Barnstaple and Pilton 3rds home at Bude 2nds.

Captain Mike Taylor was stranded on 46 when Bude were bowled out for 118, with Peter Gleave taking 3-16. Brierley guided Barum past their target with six wickets to spare.

Belstone continued their 100% record in completed games by beating Heathcoat 2nds by 35 runs.

Bishops Nympton's home game against Filleigh 3rds was called off because the field was waterlogged.