Upottery slipped to opening day defeat when edged out by just eleven runs at home against Babbacombe.

The South Devon side made the most of a splendid batting track to post an imposing 295-3. Dan Broom, Stuart Drew and Andy Pulman each claimed a wicket for the villagers who then made a great fist of the run chase before coming up just short. The reply was led from the opening slot by Gary Kennard with 51. Ryan Pulman chipped in with 41, but it was the innings fro the number six berth of Mark Joyce that got Upottery so close. Joyce was joined for the final wicket by sipper Matt Frost and, with two overs to go 20 were needed to force victory. Joyce, who had earlier clubbed four successive sixes, and the skipper chalked off nine of the required runs before Joyce was out for a splendid 76 with Upottery just 11 runs short on 284 all out.

Skipper Frost said: “I put them in and when they were half way through I felt we’d be chasing a very gettable score. However, they really went for it in the latter part of their innings and I sensed at tea that one or two of our lads felt we’d got too much to do. We batted so well, but ultimately came up short because we were not able to put together partnerships like they had done earlier in the day. There are plenty of positives for us to take from the game and we can look forward to Saturday’s big derby with Yarcombe with plenty of positivity.”

Upottery will have a number of players back for the Yarcombe game after they missed the opener being on a stag weekend!

Upottery II were not so competitive in their opening game as they were thumped by nine wickets at Countess Wear II.

Bruce Inglis top scored with 16 in a total of 62, passed with ease by the Exeter side for the loss of one wicket.

On Saturday the 2nds stage an East Devon derby with Feniton.