Axminster skipper Paul Miller had an opening day of a new league cricket season to remember as he stroked an unbeaten century to lead his side to a 39 run win at Thorverton in a Tolchards Devon League E Division East meeting.

After being asked to bat first Miller, batting at number three, found himself quickly into the action after the early loss of opener Karl Hurst, who was dismissed for two with just 12 runs on the score board.

Miller joined Dylan Hurst and the pair were soon dominating the home bowling as they chalked up the first batting point, then took their side into three figures and beyond 150 before Hurst was eventually out for 65, a knock that saw him hit seven fours. Max Felgate was next man in and he stuck around with his skipper, scoring an unbeaten 10 as he and Miller took the Axminster innings to its close of 224-2 after 45 overs.

Miller trooped off for a well deserved cup of tea having faced 130 deliveries scoring an unbeaten 124 with no fewer than 17 fours and two sixes.

His partnership with Dylan Hurst saw 171 runs added for the second wicket before he and Falgate added 41 for the unbroken third wicket.

The Thorverton reply saw a solid start with 54 added for the first wicket with second change Matt Chenery making the all-important break through thanks to an Alex Wraight catch – one of six catches held by the Axminster fielders.

From 54-1, the Thors slipped to 77-4 with two further wickets for Chenery and one for Max Felgate.

The middle order rallied until Alex Wraight enjoyed success and he claimed the last four wicket to fall as the Thorverton reply ended on 185-8 leaving Axminster comfortable winners.

Wraight’s figures were 4-34 from nine and Matt Chenery’s return was 3-33 from nine.

On Saturday (May 12) Axminster launch their home programme with a visit from a Topsham St James side that was denied first day action owing to a pitch unfit for play for their opening league game at home to Kentisbeare.