BRAUNTON 212 (7pts) lost to UPLYME & LYME REGIS 213-5 (20pts) by five wickets.

A WELL-CRAFTED innings of 84 from opener Preston Hilless paved the way for Uplyme’s five-wicket win over Braunton in the Devon League C Division East.

Opponents Braunton started the game at the top of the table after an unbeaten league run but Uplyme chased down a total of 212 with overs and wickets to spare to pick up maximum points.

The visitors lost Alfie Jacques caught behind early on but when Mark Batey joined Hilless in the middle the scoreboard moved forward quickly.

A particular feature of the couple’s partnership was their understanding between the wickets with runs quickly accumulating in twos and ones almost every delivery.

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When Hilless and Mark Batey (42) departed and several wickets had fallen cheaply, Steve Batey (45no) and Joe Elsworth (21no) came together to see Uplyme over the line.

Steve Batey was particularly aggressive with any ball short of a length and he finished unbeaten with just over half his total coming in one over.

Skipper Steve Moore and Jon Baglow were the pick of the Braunton bowlers.

Earlier, the home side’s total of 212 had included Steve Aston’s 69 and 32 from Teriq Worrell.

All the Uplyme bowlers met with some measure of success. There were three wickets each for Sam Farrow (3-35) and Charlie Moss (3-43) with Hilless bagging a pair. A mention too for wicketkeeper Jacques who finished with two catches and a stumping.

Uplyme kept their East Devon T20 Bash challenge on course last week with a seven-wicket home win over Kilmington.

Jacques (54no) and Farrow (45) top scored in Uplyme’s 150-3 with Steve Batey (2-17) and Hilless (2-27) taking the bowling honours as Kilmington, taking first strike, finished on 149-8.

Uplyme are at home to local rivals Seaton on Saturday (1pm) in the first league meeting between the sides for many years.