By Martin Huscroft

Saturday July 16 Exeter 1st XI v Kilmington 1st XI

Exeter hosted Kilmington at the County Ground. Brett Garner won the toss and decided to bat. Kilmington were soon in trouble at 45-4, but in mitigation, they were facing probably the best opening attack in the A Division in the shape of Jehan Daniel (2-42) and, particularly, the excellent 6'6" ex Somerset staffer Joe Gore (2-15).

Fire fighting by Joel Seward (32) and Josh Short (50) improved the situation, but despite 22 from Harry Johnston and bits and pieces from the tail, 192-9 looked a little short, even if the pitch continued to help the seamers. Unfortunately, the pitch appeared to flatten out.

The Exeter reply was based around a 122 second-wicket partnership between Seb Linnitt (85) and Finlay Hill (64*). Fifteen-year-old Linnitt, who is off to the Bunbury Festival for the top young players in the country, was particularly impressive in a mature innings.

Exeter won comfortably on 194-2 with wickets for Tom Gooding and Harry Johnston.

It doesn't get any easier next week away to leaders Exmouth and a certain Jason Niemand, the star player in the Division and possibly the whole league.

Kilmington 1st XI 192-9 (50 overs) Josh Short 50, Joel Seward 32, Harry Johnston 22, Sam Read 3-44, Joe Gore 2-15, Jehan Daniel 2-42 Exeter 1st XI 194-2 (37.2 overs) Seb Linnitt 85, Finlay Hill 64*.

Kilmington 2nd XI v Newton Tracey 1st XI

This was a big game for the seconds at home to their promotion rivals. Giles Dixon won the toss and batted. Bit of a failure for Alex Rockett, only 84 this week, and unusually he wasn't the main provider of fireworks. Ralph Cook (165*) and Ben Fuzzard (86) pulverised 210 for the second wicket in only 17 overs.

Kilmington finished on 379-3 off their allotted overs. Dominic Robson (2-66) was the pick of the bowlers.

Newton Tracey's reply was game with Phil Butcher (103), Ollie Symons (39) and skipper Marcus Bulled (23) the batsmen who carried them to 264-9 off 40 overs. Returning from injury, Sam Olive (3-26) and Ben Fuzzard (2-40) were Kilmington's main wicket takers, but special mention for Louis Cook (1-17), who was the most economical.

A big win in their promotion push. If availability remains strong, prospects should be pretty reasonable.

Kilmington 2nd XI 379-3 (40 overs) Alex Rockett 84, Ralph Cook 165*, Ben Fuzzard 86, Dominic Robson 2-66 Newton Tracey 1st XI 264-9 (40 overs) Phil Butcher 103, Ollie Symons 39, Sam Olive 3-26, Ben Fuzzard 2-40.