Extraordinary innings lights up Devon cricket

Bideford were in rightly confident mood after three successive wins in the Devon Cricket League ‘B’ Division.

And it’s worth immediately sparing a thought for Barton’s 17-year-old prospect Finley Last and Bideford’s own James Hayter.

Young Last continued his fine recent form with a knock of 74, and Hayter scored 111 not out. But in years to come they might be able to dine out on the memory of watching Cephas Zhuwao play one of the most spectacular innings in league history.

The 38-year-old Zimbabwean left-hander hit 254 off just 129 balls.

Zhuwao ran only 30 of them, for he launched into 20 fours and 24 sixes, sharing a third-wicket stand of 231 with Last as Barton, third from bottom at the start of play, piled up 417-5 in their 45 overs.

In the circumstances, Bideford’s Hayter-inspired reply of 252-4 was a pretty good effort, even though they lost by 165 runs.

They’re still fourth in the table, only 20 points behind leaders Bridestowe with, of course, plenty of the season still to go.

Billy Searle had a good day (3-50 and 55) as Bridestowe overhauled Seaton’s 197 all out by three wickets. Tallan Burns scored 72.

Bridestowe have 111pts, from Cullompton 100, who slipped to a surprise two-wicket defeat at home to lowly Ipplepen, Plymstock 95 and Bovey Tracey 2nd XI 86.

Struggling North Devon put their early-season woes behind them, and tore up the Premier Division formbook, with a 51-run win over leaders Cornwood which opened up the title race nicely.

Jack Moore scored 100 and James Tyson 79 off 43 balls in North’s 277 before Ben Howe took 5-28 in Cornwood’s 226 all out.

The expected title contenders are coming to the party now.

Tiverton Heathcoat are second after thumping Bovey Tracey by 137 runs at Knightshayes. Heathcoat posted 231-7 (Jack Dart 62) and skittled Bovey out for 94 – Tom Hatton 4-22 off eight overs and Joe Hancock 3-24.

Sandford are third after Dikshanshu Negi’s lusty 77no lifted them to a six-wicket win over Plympton.

Sidmouth (4th) are right there after a 31-run victory against local rivals Exmouth, which saw South African all-rounder Bryce Parsons take 5-20 in ten overs to dismiss Exmouth for only 108 – they got free-scoring Jason Niemand and Devon skipper James Horler both cheaply.

And champions Bradninch & Kentisbeare are also up to sixth, 24 points behind Cornwood, after chasing down Paignton’s 182 by six wickets with 20 overs to spare.

‘A’ Division leaders Exeter made no mistake against Clyst St George, Sam Read taking 5-30 (10ovs) in Clyst’s 94 all out. Exeter had scored 199.

Early leaders Kilmington’s wobble continued – they’re down to fifth and overhauled by improving Thorverton (4th), who beat them by seven wickets chasing 170.

Torquay are still second after winning by eight wickets at Plymouth. But keep an eye on Hatherleigh (4th), who scored 253 on the way to a 78-run win over Abbotskerswell.

The chase of the day in that division came at The Holt, where hosts Budleigh Salterton scored 283-7 and were still beaten by five wickets by Tavistock.

Will Barriball (85), Rhys Davies (67), James White (58no) and Charlie Barriball (46) helped to carry Tavvy home with four overs to spare.

Teignmouth & Shaldon still lead C East after chasing down Ottery St Mary’s 192-9 by four wickets.

Braunton (2nd) are looking handy after beating Heathcoat 2nds by 54 runs, and Uplyme & Lyme Regis are looking an increasing threat in third place – Mark Batey scored 63 and Sam Farrow 50 (277-8), overcoming North Devon 2nds by 57 runs.