Whimple moved into the top four of the D Division with a 100 run win at Halberton.

It was a dramatic acceleration over the final ten overs of the Whimple innings that effectively laid the foundations of the victory.

Chris Palfrey and Paul Gillard were the key contributors with Palfrey hitting eighty of the century of runs that flowed in those final ten overs. Palfrey finished unbeaten on 87 whilst Gillard’s contribution was 41.

Phil Hope took 3-30 but it was skipper Jono Burden who led from the front with 4-30 as the home side were bowled out for 129.

Burden said: “That was a really strong effort throughout the side. We were disciplined with the bat to the point that we exploded into life over the last ten overs and then we bowled and fielded with real gusto. To move into fourth spot at the half way stage sets us up for the second half of the season. We are in good form now and need to keep applying ourselves. The darker days of earlier in the campaign are happily behind us and I am confident that we can go on and have a real go at a high finish over the final nine games of the season.”

Burden’s side are now just 42 points short of a promotion berth and they begin the second half of the season with Saturday’s visit of Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough.

Whimple II had their unbeaten record shattered by visiting Uplyme and Lyme Regis II who were bowled out for 175 but then bundled out for 94!

No excuses from skipper Barry Wright said: “On the day the best team won. They played better than us and all we can do is look to put it behind us and bounce back next time out.”

That next game takes Wright and his side to Cloakham lawns for a meeting with Axminster III.