UPLYME & LYME REGIS 179-6 (20pts) beat TOPSHAM ST JAMES 177 (7pts) by four wickets

UPLYME & Lyme Regis confirmed their instant return to Devon League D Division East with a superb four-wicket win over 10-man Topsham St James at King George V Playing Fields.

Uplyme’s passage to promotion had been assured for two weeks provided they did not scratch any games, with Topsham lurking behind in fourth.

As it was, Lyme saw off their immediate rivals with relative comfort despite a solid third-wicket stand for the visitors between Jonathan Sapwell (66) and Mark Phillips (32).

From 18-2, the duo guided their side to 110-3 before a handy 4-43 from Charlie Moss decimated the middle order, stemming the flow of runs.

Topsham were eventually dismissed for 177, and Uplyme set about their chase well, reaching 62-0 before Moss (22) fell victim to Phillips (2-35).

Former captain Steve Batey (45) plundered seven fours and a six in his 62-ball knock before succumbing to Bobby East (2-32).

Mark Batey (3) and Duncan Ross (7) both trudged off cheaply as Topsham fought back to 92-4 but a timely innings from Tyler Wellman (31no) held Uplyme together.

Wellman’s 51-ball stay at the crease included just three fours but the all-rounder was supported ably by Bruce Maltby (13), Jed Whittington (14) and captain Mark Brimicombe (18no) as Uplyme celebrated promotion in style.