For a neutral cricket fan looking for some weekend entertainment, Budleigh Salterton are the team to watch in the early weeks of the Devon Cricket League season.

After an amazing tied game for Budleigh 2nds the previous weekend, the first-team were involved in an A Division thriller at home to Thorverton on Saturday.

Batting first, the visitors reached a fine total of 251/7, with Will Oxland the leading Budleigh bowler on 2/39. Tom Oxland led the reply with a superb 79 and Budleigh were in the chase for the full 50 overs but eventually fell just one run short in a game full of drama and intrigue.

As well as the first-team excitement, it was a historic day at the Holt, as Budleigh 3rds played their first competitive fixture in H Division East and a perfect symbol of the amazing regeneration work at the club, with two home teams playing simultaneously.

Barnstaple & Pilton 2nds were the challengers and, once again, it was a dramatic match, as Budleigh 3rds ran out winners by just eight runs.

Duncan Gracie bashed his way to a wonderful unbeaten 85 and late knocks from William Roper (41) and Neil Murrin (24 no) helped Budleigh to a total of 222/6. Roper then removed two of the top three in Barnstaple’s batting line-up but Budleigh had to endure a fantastic 136 not out from Finley Tapp before securing the narrow victory.

Budleigh 2nds travelled to Exeter 2nds in D Division East and set their hosts a reasonable target of 193/6, largely thanks to Kamalakar Posapalli (52), Lee Russell (44 no) and Steve Booth (47).

However, the Exeter top four all made contributions and, despite Donovan Robinson taking two wickets, the home side reached their target with two overs to spare. Budleigh 2nds host Clyst Hydon this weekend, while the first-team travel to Clyst St George and the 3rds are away to Culmstock 2nds.

The weekend also saw a number of fixtures for the Budleigh youth teams, including a 26-run triumph for the U14s at Sidmouth and the U13s won a Cup match against Whimple.