It is not often that world records are set in Division H (East) of the Devon Cricket League, but that is just what happened on Saturday, writes Mike Tracey.

In the absence of any statistics to the contrary, Exmouth are claiming the record for an undefeated fifth wicket partnership by a teenaged brother and sister in adult cricket.

If that sounds a bit anorakish, there was nothing dull or boring about a magnificent display of batting by 17-year-old Sam Corney, who recorded his maiden century in any form of cricket, and his 14-year-old sister Emma, who was unbeaten on 67.

Emma had previously recorded two centuries this season, one apiece for Devon Girls Under-15s and for East Devon Girls Under- 15s, and plays her ladies cricket for Topsham St James in the First Division of the DWCA! She is clearly a young lady with a great future.

Exmouth were not exactly struggling when the two came together at 91-4, but on a fast-scoring track the contest was pretty even.

Sam and Emma quickly changed all that! Both started slowly and sensibly, running singles sharply and intelligently before starting to play more expansive shots.

Sam reached his century with just three balls left of the allocated 40 overs, finishing on 108 off 95 balls.

Emma’s 67 came off 68 balls, and between them they added 197 to the eventual Exmouth total of 288-4.

None of the Topsham bowlers will look back on the day with affection, but there was some consolation for Jack Purchall with two wickets, and youngsters Charlie Ferraro and Dan Thornhill with one apiece.

The high-scoring was not over, although Topsham’s eventual 203 all out was primarily a team effort, with most batsmen contributing, but only Simon Wooster (46), making a reasonably substantial score. Joe Graham took 3-36, Sam Austin 2-42 and brother Josh Austin 2-14, and there were one apiece for Toby Pugsley and Matt Edworthy, who stepped out from behind the stumps to take the final wicket of the day.

Topsham responded well to the battering in the field, but the day belonged to the world-record Corneys – a magnificent achievement.