Seaton Cricket Club toiled through a torrid campaign on the field in 2022 but will already be feeling better about life in 2023 after a composed seven-wicket victory at home to Bideford/Littleham/Westward Ho! in the B Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League.

Opting to field first, Seaton made a blistering start, reducing the visitors to 12/3 with Joseph Berry and Ben Morgan ripping through the top order. The North Devon side responded with a middle order partnership of 61 but Berry halted their progress with a smart run out.

Seaton kept up the pressure and limited the Bideford-based club to 141/8, with Berry leading the bowling figures on 3/19.

Despite losing two early partners, Damian Baxter led the Seaton reply with a fluent run-a-ball 42 and a terrific unbeaten 60 from Adam Bilston ensured the target was reached with more than ten overs to spare.

In the A Division, Kilmington prevailed in an extremely low-scoring affair at Clyst St George. The Kilmington squad must have feared the worst when they were skittled out for 100, with Tom Gooding (20) the only batsman to make an impression.

However, Clyst struggled even more with the bat. Robert Crabb took 4/17 and Oliver Reed 3/15, as Kilmington bowled out their hosts for 67 to win by 33 runs.

Preston Hillness hit a fine 77 and Joe Elsworth struck 43 for Uplyme & Lyme Regis in C Division East but their strong total of 223/7 was reached by Ottery St Mary in the final over.

In D Division East, Ben Kidson (63) and James Mitcham (45) helped Upottery to a total of 224/6 at home to Heathcoat 3rds and the bowlers destroyed the visiting line-up, who were all out for 88, with Matt Frost (4/16) the lead wicket-taker.

There was a local derby in G Division East, where Seaton 2nds cruised to a 129-run victory at Honiton 2nds. Tristan Wakeley top-scored with 87 for Seaton and a 72 from Honiton’s Jon Hext was the best for the hosts.

In the Premier Division, there were wins for Exmouth, Bovey Tracey, Paignton, Cornwood and Sidmouth.