After many years finishing as runners-up in the competition, Uplyme won the East Devon T20 Bash by seven runs in a tense finish against Kilmington on Sunday.

Player of the match was Australian all-rounder Preston Hilless who hit a blistering 66 to finish his spell with Uplyme before returning home.

Opening the innings in rainy conditions, Hilless wasted no opportunity to unleash some big hitting, his total including one tremendous six that cleared the long boundary and left the ground.

He was well supported by Daniel Magee (46) and, at the end of their twenty overs, Uplyme were 176 for seven.

Kilmington’s reply was well-paced with boundaries interspersed with good running between the wickets and the outcome was in doubt until the very last over.

Connor Trott (34) and Dave Reed (31) were the pick of the Kilmington batters while Uplyme’s Andrew Harrison and Steve Batey both finished with two wickets from their four overs.

The cup was presented at the end of the game to Uplyme skipper Sam Farrow by Lyme Regis Town councillor Philip Evans.