KILMINGTON 142-8 (19pts) beat UPLYME & LYME REGIS 141 (7pts) by two wickets

UPLYME & Lyme Regis lost further ground on Clyst St George in the battle for survival as they lost by two wickets at Kilmington in their Devon League C Division East clash.

Clyst St George enjoyed a maximum-point win over Whimple and a 13-point swing over Uplyme widens the gap between the eighth and ninth-placed sides to 20 points.

Having won the toss and batted first, Uplyme made a good start in reaching 53-0, with Charlie Moss (33) hitting three fours and a six, but his departure sparked a huge collapse.

Losing all their wickets for 88 runs, only Mark Batey (36), Whetlor (22) and Laurie Thomas (14) joined Moss in reaching double figures as the visitors were bowled out for 141 in 42 overs.

Kilmington made a solid start to their chase of 142, and steered themselves to 86-3 courtesy of useful knocks from Brett Garner (26), Josh Short (17) and Alex Rockett (12).

But Uplyme fought back in the middle overs as Steve Batey (4-15) helped reduce the hosts to 109-7, leaving the match delicately poised.

It was left to number eight batsman Ollie Reed (25no) to smash two fours and a six as Kilmington secured a victory with a whopping 19.1 overs remaining.

Uplyme face a crucial fixture away to relegation rivals Clyst St George on Saturday, knowing a loss would spell serious danger for Whetlor’s men in their bid to remain in the league.