Saturday 6th August - Kilmington 1st X1 v Seaton 1st X1

The A Division's bottom two met in a relegation battle as Kilmington hosted both Seaton and their sponsors, to thank them for their support this year, writes Martin Huscroft

Kilmington won the toss and batted and will undoubtedly have been disappointed with their total of 193 all out. Joel Seward grafted hard, not for the first time this season, to top score with 54 but after excellent opening spells by Joe Berry (1-29) and Ben Morgan (3-37), Seaton's bowlers didn't give Kilmington any easy runs. Only Matt Rockett (34) and Josh Short (24) scored with relative freedom. Damien Baxter (3-34) picked up wickets for the visitors, but Seaton must also be complimented for some outstanding catches in the deep, particularly the two by Bobby Dormer. Surely not enough runs for Kilmington?

A brilliant stumping by Billy Reed off a Ben Fuzzard wide removed Australian Adam Bilston early but Damien Baxter (26) and Matt Hewer (38*) accumulated runs with few alarms. Baxter was superbly, and very unluckily, caught by Matt Rockett of a Josh Short deflection and then Kilmington started to work through the Seaton innings, first through Rob Crabb (2-37) and then by Oscar Oborn-Corby (3-46) but Seaton were always in the hunt even in the last over. However they finished on 177-9 off their allotted overs. Pick of the Kilmington attack was fast bowler Ollie Reed (1-17), now fully fit after hamstring troubles.

This was a crucial win for Kilmington which took them out of the relegation zone but they face a daunting trip to Plympton next week, a team who only managed to score 484 in the first game against Kilmington.

Kilmington 193 (45.5 overs) Joel Seward 54, Matt Rockett 34, Josh Short 24, Damien Baxter 3-34, Ben Morgan 3-37 Seaton 177-9 (50 overs) Matt Hewer 38*, Jack Dormer 34, Oscar Oborn-Corby 3-46, Rob Crabb 2-37

Kilmington 2nd XI travelled to Cheriton FitzPaine in a top of the table clash, the home side buoyed by beating long-time league leaders, Culmstock, last time out. Cheriton batted first and made 178 all out, a better score than it sounds on a testing wicket. E.Carter (52) and D.Saunders (34) scored the bulk of the home sides runs but they never got away from Tom Olive (4-52) and new boy Zak Szilugyi (2-48). However, pick of the bowlers was undoubtedly the parsimonious Mike Summers (2-6 off his 8 overs).

Kilmington were in desperate trouble at 78-5 when star batsman Alex Rockett (38) was dismissed. However, Ashley Cook (34) and Adam Culley (16) helped put the innings back together. There was still a mountain to climb when Szilugyi (52*) came to the wicket, but with staunch support from Eddie Clarke, he saw Kilmington home on 180-7, with two overs to go, for a really crucial win in their promotion push. Braces of wickets for A.Wreford, N.Guscott and S.Ticehurst were the best of the Cheriton attack. Seaton 2nd XI at home next week for Kilmington.

Cheriton FitzPaine 1st XI 178 (37.4 overs) E.Carter 52, D.Saunders 34, Tom Olive 4-52, Mike Summers 2-6, Zak Szilugyi 2-48

Kilmington 2nd XI 180-7 (38 overs) Zak Szilugyi 52*, Alex Rockett 38, Ashley Cook 34, S.Tilehurst 2-32, A.Wreford 2-33, N.Guscott 2-33