Big Ben is a star for Uplyme

KILMINGTON SECONDS 208 (9pts) lost to UPLYME & LYME REGIS SECONDS 195-8 (20pts) by 2 wickets (both matches rain affected)

BEN Whittington produced a stunning performance as Uplyme & Lyme Regis claimed a rain-aff-ected victory over Ashburton at the King George V Playing Field.

The talented all-rounder picked up three wickets with the ball before leading his side home with the willow with a fine knock of 56 not out.

A fantastic century from Chris Pascoe (112) and a half-century from Kevin Nichols (56) saw Ashbur-ton put on 245-5 prior to the rain delay, which eventually left Uplyme facing an adjusted target of 206.

Rob Thom (7), Jed Whittington (33) and Henry Perry (11) all fell to Daman Singh (3-36) and when Alex Taylor (26) also dep-arted, the game was clearly in the balance.

However, Ben Whittington and Adam Caddy (60) then came together in a tremendous fifth-wicket stand of 109 to completely change the game, with the former eventually knocking off the winning runs in the 34th over.

The victory is Uplyme’s fifth in eight games in the Devon League D Division where they now lie in fourth place.

Uplyme Seconds were also triumphant in their rain-affected clash at Kil-mington and are now top of D Division East.

The home side were knocked over for 208 batting first with Uplyme captain Wallace Blackmore impressing with 6-43 and Wesley Holmes grabbing 2-38.

A downpour then left table-toppers Uplyme chasing 195 in 41 overs, which they managed with just two balls and two wickets to spare.

Ed Clarke (26), Tyler Wellman (34) and Dave Norman (30) all made valuable contributions but the key man was Daley Holmes (35no), who show-ed great composure alongside Ali Rattenbury (9no) to see his side home.

Clarke said: “A stand of 109 between Adam Caddy and Ben Whittington saw the first team home while Daley Holmes once again held firm and batted through as the seconds won by two wickets.”

This Saturday the first team are away to Halber-ton and the seconds are at home to Axminster.