HONITON 140 (5pts) lost to UPLYME & LYME REGIS 229-5 (20pts) by 89 runs

UPLYME will top Devon League East E3 Tier 5 after securing a fifth straight win – Honiton their victims.

Victory has secured a place in the play-offs after the resounding 89-run triumph over their nearest rivals.

Without captain Steve Batey, stand-in skipper Tyler Wellman won the toss and chose to bat.

Wellman has been in sensational form this season, scoring three straight tons, but was removed for a duck by Willy Graham (2-47).

Up stepped Mark Batey, who formed a series of solid partnerships in creating a sizeable total.

Charlie Moss (11), Joe Elsworth (37), Alfie Jaques (35) and Sam Farrow (26no) all batted in tandem with Batey, who neared a century.

However, Batey (96) succumbed four runs short of his hundred as James Matravers rattled his timbers.

Uplyme posted 229-5 and were never seriously in danger of losing.

Elsworth (1-14) bowled tidily to castle home skipper Alan Ostler (1), while Sam Wooster (2-30) chipped in with a rapid brace to leave Honiton on 41-3.

Honiton continued to scrap in the face of a climbing run rate as Kieran Conway (37) was joined by Willy Graham (19).

However, when the latter fell to the impressive Sam Farrow (4-29), the writing was on the wall.

Conway was the last wicket to fall as Farrow fittingly sealed victory, Honiton all out for 140.