Honiton lost their Tolchards Devon League D Division East match at Clyst St George, going down by 37 runs in a low scoring affair.

Honiton skipper Oliver Cave won the toss and invited the home side to bat first. The bowlers did their work very well and just four home players reached double figures with the bat. Crucially one of them was opener Chris Ferro who was fifth man out for a knock of 51, leaving the score 88-5. The sixth wicket added a further 33 runs before the Honiton bowlers hit back to polish things off, leaving Clyst St George bowled out for 158 after 38.2 overs.

The Honiton bowlers shared the wicket taking with two each for Rob Ingram (2-5), Mike Docherty (2-30), Ben Kidson (2-39) and Phil Tansley (2-28).

Skipper Cave and Devon Ovre-50s bat Brian Cann launched the Honiton run chase and everything was going smoothly as they eased past the 50 mark before Cave was sent back for a hard-hitting 39. Cann was next to go, he fell for 22 with the score then 69-2, but Pete Matravers (3), Andy Canniford (0) and Tom Strawbridge (4), were all quickly sent back to leave the chase on 86-5. George Meadows was sixth man down, he went for 18 leaving the total 93-6. It was soon 13-7 and then 114-9 with the last rites of the innings being seen to with the dismissal of Phil Tansley for four and Honiton were bowled out for 121 with number seven batsman Mike Docherty not out seven.

Skipper Cave lamented: “It was another disappointing day I am afraid. We did improve significantly in the field and I was pleased with the effort to get them out for 158. Sadly though, our batting did not back up the solid display before tea.”