AXMINSTER 184-8 (6pts) lost to UPLYME & LYME REGIS 176-4 (19pts) by six wickets

A FINE display from James Whetlor with the ball helped Uplyme to a comfortable Devon League C Division East victory over Axminster.

He claimed 3-30 before 46 from opener Laurie Thomas helped the side home.

Winning the toss, Uplyme opted to bowl first on a damp wicket and skipper Steve Batey must have been concerned about the poor start that his bowlers made allowing openers Alan Ostler and Michael Wakely to get off to a brisk start, reaching 41 in comfortable style.

It was the introduction of in-form Whetlor that led to the breakthrough when he had Ostler caught and bowled.

He then struck again to dismiss Matthew Pile bowled through the gate.

The dangerous Wakely was still there and looking to build on a recent run of match-winning scores for his side.

With Simon Steer, he built a partnership and the pair had brought up the 100 when Whetlor struck again and had Wakely well caught by Brimicombe just two short of his half-century. The Axminster middle order of Steer (22), Sam Farrow (21), and captain, Paul Miller (35), worked hard to re-establish the innings. All got starts but all failed to capitalise.

The first two fell to the off-spin of Michael van den Berg and Steve Batey took a fine return catch to get rid of his opposite number. Nic Dinnison then returned to take the wickets of Ben Fuzzard and Nick Taylor and tie the innings up for a par score of 184-8.

The Uplyme innings started badly with Rob Thom falling to Fuzzard for two with just eight on the board but Mark Brimicombe joined Laurie Thomas and together they took the score to 96 before Brimcombe was caught by Farrow off the bowling of David Field.

Mark Batey went cheaply but from there, on Van den Berg (31no) and Tyler Wellman (35no) played confidently and stroked their way to victory.

Three overs were lost to rain and the target was reduced to 176 but with a flurry of boundaries from Wellman, Uplyme crossed the line with overs to spare.