UPLYME and Lyme Regis Cricket Club's ambition to be one of the most forward thinking sporting organisations in the area was underlined over the weekend with the unveiling of a new electronic scoreboard.

Uplyme has one of the most picturesque locations in local cricket, often referred to as the idyllic village cricket ground, with it's old pavilion preserved, village pub nearby and quaint wooden score box.

Last season the Uplyme club, founded in 1886, enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in its long history, winning the mini-league tier in which they were placed in a COVID-19 reduced format with some exciting, swashbuckling cricket, including three consecutive centuries by Tyler Wellman, one of the most talented members of the Wellman sporting dynasty of Lyme Regis, and a feat not seen before in local cricket.

The final of their tier attracted a crowd of around 200 spectators, unknown in local cricket, and all home games have a regular following, home and away.

Tyler's cousin, all-rounder Steve Batey, is the ambitious club chairman who his breathed new life into the village club and his been the driving force behind the launch of the East Devon Bash T20 league this coming season.

The new electronic scoreboard is just one of a number of developments that Uplyme plan to introduce in the future. It was unveiled yesterday (Sunday) in a friendly T20 match against Yeovil Blasters in which Uplyme hit 189 all out. Harvey Brimicombe led the way with a knock of 53 with Joe Elsworth, (50), Sam Farrow (25) and Tyler Wellman (20) weighing in with useful scores.

The Blasters were bowled out for 150 with the best bowling figures coming from J. Sims (4-34) and Steve Batey (3-7).

After the game, Batey thanked all those who had helped in the acquisition of the electronic scoreboard, including Lyme Regis Town Council, the England Cricket Board, Gary Rowland and Steve Elsworth.

Uplyme will be back in action on Wednesday with a home T20 clash with Kilmington. Next Saturday (April 24) they host Devon Medics (1pm start) and on Sunday they are at home to Crewkerne (2pm start).

The club has also made two new signings – Andy Harrison, an off-spinning all-rounder who has moved to the area from playing a higher standard of cricket in Buckinghamshire, and Josh Thomas, a young and upcoming spin bowler and mid-order batsman who has transferred from Seaton.