JAMES Starkey was the man of the match for Westleigh in their seven-wicket North Devon League Division One win over near neighbours North Devon.
Table-topping Westleigh won the toss, and not surprisingly elected to field, and when North Devon were 12 for two, with overseas player Abishek Batra back in the pavilion, it looked like a sound decision.
Young Harry Nicholl, who went in second wicket down for North Devon changed the game with a rapid 97, which off 61 balls and included eight fours and seven sixes.
Nicholl found support from Jimmer Thomas (38) and Ruben Windley, who hit a quickfire 69 not out in 40 balls as North Devon made a challenging 264 all out. It was an impressive total for a largely young side against the experienced Westleigh contingent.
Starkey was the pick of the Westleigh bowlers with four wickets for 40 runs. Dick Pearson and skipper Will Speed chipped-in with a couple of wickets each.
Starkey, a Devon League regular for North Devon 2nd XI on a Saturday afternoon, probably knows the strengths and otherwise of the Instow side if his bowling figures are anything to go by.
Whatever inside information Starkey held was put to good during a knock of 95 that helped Westleigh to victory
Starkey shared a 150-run partnership with Richard Wild, who hit a rapid 94 not out from 84 balls as the home side prevailed with an over to spare.
Colt Jools Hughes took a couple of wickets for the Instow outfit – including dangerman Steffan James. Batra bowled eight overs for eight runs given away.
For North Devon skipper James Tyson the game was all part of the learning curve preparing colts such as Hughes and Nicholl for big-boys’ cricket.
Belstone were due to visit Bideford in Division One, but chose to concede the game.
The Division Two game between Exford against Ilfracombe was washed out. The Division Three game between Newton Tracey and Holsworthy suffered the same fate.
There was action at Hatherleigh where the 2nd XI defeated visiting Barnstaple & Pilton by 72 runs.
Clive Ball, the Barnstaple & Pilton captain, probably regretted his decision to put Hatherleigh in as they racked-up an impressive 280 for two at tea.
All the Hatherleigh batters got runs, led by Niall Leahy (98no) who shared an unbroken 143-run partnership with Greg Solkin (62no). Earlier, Zak Spears (55) and Ruben Forrester (50) shared an opening partnership of 99.
Ball did take both wickets to fall at a cost of 26 runs from his eight overs.
Matt Newton gave it a go when Barnstaple & Pilton batted, hitting a rapid 35. But once he was gone the remaining B&P batters took the opportunity to have some practice s they batted out the overs for a total of 208 for three.
Jamie Sutton (73no) and Giles Bashford (56no), shared an unbroken partnership of 94 for the fourth wicket. Alan Jones took a couple of wickets for Hatherleigh.
The Bight Motors League cup game between Filleigh and Nomansland was another wash out on a soggy Sunday.
