FIRST MINI-LEAGUE VICTORY FOR SEATON

Seaton pulled off their first victory in the Devon Cricket Mini-League on Saturday with a competitive batting performance at Budleigh Salterton.

Seaton won the toss and elected to bat. They lost opener Josh Cann early on but Matthew Hewer (61) and Joel Seward (72) set them on course for a total of 222 with a 100-plus partnership for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 45 overs. Useful contributions came from Ben Morgan (22), Joe Berry (17) and Robbie Prior (16 not out).

Pick of the Budleigh bowlers was Ed Doble who finished with figures of 3 for 44 off nine overs.

In reply, Budleigh were bowled out for 142 in 35.4 overs, giving Seaton an 80-run victory.

Star of the six-man Seaton attack was skipper Ben Morgan who finished with bowling figures of 4 for 33 off nine overs with Joe Berry grabbing a couple of wickets in his six overs at a cost of 27 runs.

The only Budleigh batsman to put up any real resistance was James Doble with a knock of 42 before being run out.

Budleigh Salterton 6 points; Seaton 19 points.

This victory leaves Seaton in third place in the Premier East division. This coming Saturday they are at home to Exmouth (12:30 start).

MAXIMUM POINTS FOR KILMINGTON WITHOUT A BALL BEING BOWLED

Kilmington picked up 20 points to stay top of the East E1 (Tier 3) without a ball being bowled as Sidmouth 2nds conceded.

It leaves them top of the table with 60 points, 18 more than their closest rival, Upottery.

With just two games left, they are heading for the knock-out stages in September.

This coming Saturday Kilmington are at home to Ottery St Mary (13:00 start).

TYLER DENIED HIS FOURTH CENTURY ON THE TROT

Triple centurion Tyler Wellman was unable to add to his three consecutive100s for Uplyme & Lyme Regis on Saturday – as he did not get a bat!

But another member of the Wellman sporting dynasty – his cousin, club chairman and skipper Steve Batey – was left to write the headlines this week in their eight-wicket victory over Axminster Town with a glorious knock of 111.

The victory keeps Uplyme firmly on course to win the Devon East E 3 (Tier 5) mini-league and a place in the  knock-outs.

They completed the double over Axminster Town after winning the toss and electing to field, a decision which meant that Tyler, batting at No 6, was unlikely to get to the crease.

Axminster started well enough and only lost three wickets against a six-man attacking which kept things tight throughout, restricting the visitors to 143 off their 40 overs.

Top scorers for Axminster were Danile Murnane (48), Bradley Conway (28) and Benjamin Webb (26).

It was a better batting performance from Axminster who were skittled out for 48 runs in the first outing between the two sides at Cloakham Lawn.

Steve Batey (2 for 15 off 8 overs) and Joe Elsworth (1 for 21 off 8) took the wickets for Uplyme.

Batey's ton was typical of his aggressive approach to batting – he smashed 12 fours and eight sixes before being caught behind by Paul Miller. Alfie Jacques and Mark Batey weighed in with 14 runs each. They reached the winning total in just 17.4 overs.

Matt Chenery got the two Uplyme wickets – both catches by Paul Miller – but he was cained for 55 runs off five overs.

Following his three consecutive centuries for Uplyme, it emerged that Tyler is a distant cousin on his mother's side of former England Test captain Ken Barrington, so it might be that his batting skills are in his genes.

No one in local cricket circles can remember any batsmen scoring three consecutive centuries and there is talk that some of the clubs that play at a higher standard in the Devon League are interested in acquiring his services.

But Uplyme have a great team spirit and are confident that Tyler will be playing for them next season when they hope they can progress up the divisions, assuming that cricket returns to normal.

His teammates have noticed how Tyler has improved his technique since spending a year with Uplyme's twin club, the Deepdene Bears, in Melbourne in 2018.

Uplyme & Lyme Regis 16 points; Axminster 4 points.

The win over Axminster cements Uplyme's position at the top of the East E (Tier 5) division with 72 points, 20 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Honiton.

This coming Saturday (August 22) Uplyme are away to Honiton (13.00 start).

NIAL-BITING FINISH TO SEATON 2nds' FIRST VICTORY

Seaton 2nds secured their first victory in the Devon Mini-League with a nail-biting finish at home to Sampford Peverell & Tiverton.

Seaton won the toss and put Sampford into bat. The visitors got off to a storming start with 141 runs on the board before any wickets had fallen. Openers Richard Pugsley (81) and Tom Lock (69) put them well on their way to an innings total of 216 for 4 off their 35 overs.

The Seaton bowlers toiled hard with Jack Harwood being the most productive, taking 3 for 39 off six overs.

Seaton were not daunted by the run chase with opener Harvey Brown carrying his bat for 95 off 103 balls, seeing Seaton home and dry with just two balls left to bowl. He got good support from fellow opener Oliver Aplin (30), John Oldfield (31) and Joshua Thomas (18).

Tom Cowle and Richard Pugsley were Sampford's most successful bowlers, taking three wickets apiece.

Lying third in East E4 (Tier 6), Seaton 2nds are away to Upottery 2nds on Saturday (13:00).

MATCH ABANDONED AT KENTISBEARE

At Kentisbeare only 2.3 overs were bowled in the East E2 (Tier 4) match with Chardstock before the game was abandoned due to rain.

Kentisbeare won the toss and elected to bat and Chardstock had scored seven runs when the game was called off.

Kentisbeare 0 points; Chardstock 0 points.

Chardstock, who lead the division with 40 [points, two ahead of Sampford Peverell & Tiverton, are away to Clust Hydon on Saturday (13:00 strart).