Skipper Rob Hutchings created a little piece of club history when he became the first batsmen at Chardstock to score three successive league centuries as he stoked his way to 126 in a game that was later sadly abandoned in tragic circumstances.

Gavin Churchill struck a sweet unbeaten 50 as Chardstock closed on 260-8.

A super day for Hutchings and his men was tragically marred by the heart attack and subsequent death of one of the visitors. At the time Culmstock were 60-4 in the reply.

Hutchings said: “It was terribly sad that someone came to play a game of cricket and then did not get home and all our thoughts are with the poor chaps family and friends. As for my innings I was very pleased with it as it was a similar knock to my first century and this time I got the three figures against an attack that included Marcus Busch who is a fine bowler. Things are going really well for me and the team at the moment. We knew in our first year back in the league last season that it would take time. Now we are starting to find more and more players wanting to get involved and that renewed interest and greater commitment is certainly aiding our cause. We still have some catching up to do in terms of chasing down the divisional leaders, but if we keep playing this way we’ll get there.”

Next up for Hutchings and Chardstock is Saturday’s visit of second placed Cullompton. Will the skipper get a fourth successive century? He says: “I will eat my hat if I do!”