It was a fine weekend on the cricket pitch for Exmouth CC, as the first and second XI both recorded entertaining victories.
Bovey Tracey arrived at the Maer Ground for a game between two side looking to push away from the bottom of the Devon Cricket League Premier Division and start making inroads on the leading clubs.
Exmouth batted first and immediately set about piling on the runs, with captain Tim Piper and opening partner James Horler taking the score to 97 before Bovey could find a breakthrough.
Piper ended the innings with 55 and Horler 46, with that early momentum continued down the order. Louis Morrison scored a terrific 68 and decent contributions from Dan Pyle and Andy Buzza resulted in a total of 273-8.
Bovey had toiled hard on a scorching hot day in the field and that fatigue showed in the early stages of the reply, as the visitors slipped to 47-3 before Sri Lankan pro Asantha Singappuli, who had been the pick of the bowlers, put on a 131-run partnership with Ashley Causley.
Singappuli finally succumbed for an outstanding 107 and Causey managed 68. When Bovey reached 240-5 with five overs remaining, the visitors were probably slight favourites to record the win.
Exmouth, however, rallied superbly and rattled off the final wickets to win by 11 runs, with Greg Marks taking 3-46 and son Fin Marks enjoyed figures of 3-66.
It was a fabulous game of cricket to watch and takes Exmouth into the local derby at Sidmouth this weekend with some renewed confidence.
Exmouth’s 2nd XI moved to within just two points of leaders Clyst St George in the C Division East following a solid run chase at Ottery St Mary.
Alvin Pollard and Alex Craib both took a brace of wickets for Exmouth, as they kept Ottery in check throughout their innings, with a final total of 172-9.
Mark Ashplant led the reply for Exmouth, top scoring with 54. Tom Bath (43) and Kai Higham (30) helped the visitors comfortably reach their target, finishing on 173-6 for a four-wicket triumph.

Exmouth Journal: Louis Morison of Exmouth CCLouis Morison of Exmouth CC (Image: Pinnacle Photo Agency Ltd)