Budleigh 2nds made it four wins from four Francis Clark Devon League B Division games with a 207-run mauling of ten-man visiting South Devon, writes Phil Yolland.

Budleigh won the toss and decided to set the target for the second week running.

The wicket was fairly good, but the bounce a little indifferent causing a few problems for the openers who were being a little more cautious than usual with their stroke play.

Chris Batten wasn’t at the crease for too long, being caught in the mid-wicket area in the second over after a little foolishly playing the same shot twice, and, on the second occasion the fielder had time to get under the lofted shot and take an easy catch.

Alex Richardson was going along nicely when he unfortunately got a little carried away and played across the line to a straight delivery to be dismissed leg before for 13 and the Budleigh score was 47-2.

Jo Marley and Dan Messom held the middle-order together well. Morley, looking like he would go onto his fourth consecutive half century of the season, collecting a free tea token under the 2nd XIs reward scheme, was deceived by an awkward bounce and departed leg before for 34 with the score 112-4.

Skipper Carter was next to the wicket and he was quickly into his stride stroking the ball to all parts of the Ottermouth ground.

He raced to his half century in just 31 deliveries. Messom provided good support, but he became the third Budleigh batsmen to see the umpires finger raised for a leg before appeal, out for 15.

Carter continued on his merry way slamming the ball further and further and fittingly reached his second successive century with a huge six!

The skipper was still there at the close with an unbeaten 129 which makes his early season average an eye catching 380!

The other not out batsman at the close of the innings was opening bowler Adam Jones who displayed a full range of nice cricketing shots, and a cool head, and he trooped off with an unbeaten 58 to his name as Budleigh went into tea with 309-6 on the board.

Opening bowlers James Plowman and Adam Jones sent down the first 14 overs, restricting the visitors to just 35 runs in that time with Plowman taking the one wicket to fall.

Matt Murphy, who hadn’t bowled for a week, delivered a superb spell of seven overs of seeming and swinging deliveries that yielded him figures of 1-11.

Budleigh wicket keeper Dan Messon showed just why he had played youth cricket for Surrey with three classic stumpings as the South Devon reply wilted on 64-6.

Phil Yolland chipped in with a brace of wickets as did both Chris Batten and Darren Oxland.

Budleigh crowded the visitor’s last man who got a particularly quick delivery from pace man Oxland that popped up for skipper Carter to take the catch to complete a comprehensive victory for his side with South Devon bowled out for 102.