Honiton cricketers suffer narrow defeat to Woodbury

The sun finally came out to play for Devon cricketers but it was the slenderest of defeats for Honiton's first XI against Woodbury in the Tolchards Devon Cricket League.
Despite a handsome 45 from Dave Haysom, Honiton finished on 135 and it was a total that proved just a fraction short.
James Matravers produced an inspired bowling display for Honiton, finishing with fine figures of 5 for 10, with Ian Kelly taking 2 for 21, but Woodbury reached their target of 136 with just one wicket to spare.
The Honiton Second XI also tasted defeat on the weekend, losing by 57 runs against Exwick at Mountbatten Park.
Honiton skipper Jon Hext opted to bowl first but Exwick made a solid start to their innings before Riley Burgess snaffled the first wicket, while Brett Sellick was unlucky not to get more reward for his consistent line and length bowling.
Craig Mudd finally dismissed the Exwick opener for 51, Lewis Blackwell made a breakthrough and there were two further wickets for Burgess, one of which stemmed from a superb low catch by Will Cowley.
Exwick closed their innings with a daunting 192 runs and Honiton’s major frustration will have come from the concession of 37 extras.
In reply, Nathan Groves and Richard Potter made a rapid start, but the scoring slowed when Potter was dismissed and captain Hext endured an infuriating stint in the middle, timing the ball nicely but unable to find the gaps.
When the skipper fell to a catch at point, Honiton were in trouble, particularly when he was followed by the removal of Groves.
Pete Matravers sought to build some new momentum for Honiton with an explosive start to his innings before he missed a straight one.
More wickets tumbled for Honiton, who ended 57 runs short of their target and must now regroup for the trip to an in-form Cullompton on the weekend.
While the results did not go Honiton’s way, it was just a relief that Covid and the weather finally allowed for some decent cricket to be played.