UPLYME & LYME REGIS 227-4 (19pts) beat HEATHCOAT 221-9 (7pts) by six wickets

UPLYME & Lyme Regis claimed an impressive six-wicket victory over Heathcoat in their opening Devon League C Division East clash of the season.

Uplyme, who were promoted from D Division after finishing second in 2021, have signed three new players this season.

Overseas star Abhishek Anand adds strength to an already powerful batting line-up, while experienced opening batter Martin Langford comes across from Cattistock & Symene.

READ MORE: Exeter City boss Matt Taylor scores 145 against Uplyme

Nabi Temori, who played no part in Saturday’s win, has also joined.

Heathcoat won the toss and elected to bat first at King George V Playing Fields, assembling a solid opening stand of 65.

Two quickfire wickets for Jibu Varghese (2-32) removed skipper Toby Lochead (34) and Dan Butler (0) before Harry Southgate boosted the visitors’ total.

Southgate blasted 13 fours in a fine innings of 72, keeping Heathcoat on track after Andrew Harrison had taken 3-26.

Heathcoat closed on 221-9 from their 45 overs – and Uplyme put together a well-judged chase.

They were led by Langford at the top of the order, who played the anchor role throughout the innings.

That allowed Steve Batey (18) to fire two fours and a six before perishing, while Harrison (6) fell cheaply.

Langford formed what proved to be a match-winning partnership of 133 with Anand for the third wicket, the Indian batter slamming seven fours and four maximums in an entertaining knock of 68.

He became the sole scalp for Lee Dixon (1-54) but Langford (45) fell just shy of a debut half-century before skipper Sam Farrow (30no) and Joe Elsworth (7no) saw Uplyme home.

The east Dorset side tackle Exeter Seconds away on Saturday (1.30pm).