Founder members:

These were: John Huxtable, Dave Wilson, Jack Taylor, Robert Tythcott, Pete Jeffrey, Derek Burnett (the first captain) and John and Alan Dart, to whom the club owes immense gratitude for allowing us the use of the field, which is rented from Tapeley Estates , to whom we also extend our thanks. The very first match played at Merchant’s Park was against Joe Molland’s XI, a team which included Bill Shepherd and his brother David, the famous Test Match umpire.

League cricket:

Began in 1968/69 when Westleigh won the original North Devon League. The League ceased shortly after, but started again in 1978, with Westleigh coming out top in the three consecutive years ’78, ’79 and 1980.We also came second in the second division of the North East Devon League that year and won it the following year (1981), all under the shrewd captaincy of Mike Snell or “The Colonel” as he is known to the cognoscenti.

In 1982 D. Dart captained the club, and the following year, under the captaincy of Chris Underwood, Westleigh won the North Devon Knock Out cup, beating Braunton in the final at Westward Ho! Dennis Frost bowling a wicket maiden in the last over with Braunton needing only three to win!

In 1989, as well as competing in the local Sunday league, Westleigh, with Mike Snell at the helm again, entered the bottom division of the Devon League, winning it, and going two full seasons without losing a game.

We were promoted twice under the captaincy of Mark Overton and Mike Braund and withdrew from the league as lack of mains services to our pavilion prevented further progress.

In 2000, Westleigh won the first division of The North Devon League, beating Sandford away in the crucial final game.