Axminster went down by five wickets when they entertained Honiton in an E Division East game at Cloakham.

After being invited to bat first the Axemen lost opener Peter Kiy, who was bowled by visiting skipper Adam Holmes for a 25-ball duck. That was at 26-1 and just two runs were added before Dylan Hurst was caught by Dave Haysom off the bowling of Ben Kidson for 20. That became 38-3 with the loss of Axminster skipper Paul Miller, bowled by Rob Ingram for two.

Bradley Conway (13), Sam Farrow (0), Joe Elsworth (12) and Max Felgate (0), were all soon back in the pavilion as Axminster slipped to 55-7.

Karl Hurst, batting in the number eight berth, managed to top score with 29 to see Axminster into three figures, but the wickets kept falling as Ben Webb (2) and Dave Hayball (5) both fell to Ian Kelly leaving Alex Wraight not out for four as the Axminster innings closed on 108 after just 33 overs.

In terms of the wicket taking honours, all six of the Honiton bowlers claimed at least one wicket. Richard Hill’s figures were the best with his return being 3-13 from six overs and there were two wickets each for Rob Ingram (2-17 from six) and Ian Kelly (2-19 from six). The other wickets fell to Adam Holmes (1-30 from seven), Ben Kidson (1-21 from six) and Alan Ostler (1-0 from two overs).

The Honiton run chase was hit by the early loss of Ben Kidson, caught by Dave Hayball off the bowling of Max Felgate for eight with the total on 18, and then Andrew Lapping fell to a second ball duck, with Felgate again the successful bowler to leave the reply 31-2

Michael Docherty became Felgate’s third wicket, bowled for 10 and Honiton skipper Adam Holmes was caught by Paul Miller off the bowling of Dave Hayball for 18.

However, Honiton opener Dave Haysom hit a fine 67-ball 43, a knock that included six fours and two sixes. He was dismissed before the end, bowled by Alex Wraight, which left Andy Canniford (17 not out from just 14 deliveries) and Joel Hext (not out five from 12 balls faced) to see Honiton over the winning line with the victory completed inside 26 overs.

Max Felgate topped the Axminster bowling figures with a return of 3-35 from nine overs and there were single wickets for Alex Wraight (1-29 from six) and Dave Hayball (1-12 from 3.5).