Honiton skippers stunning start continues as Halberton are humbled.

Honiton’s new captain Adam Holmes is pinching himself after leading his side to back to back wins in his first two outings as the Mountbatten Park side’s skipper.

Holmes and his charges beat Halberton and Sampford Peverell by 71 runs, claimed 19 points, and finished match day eight of the 18-week season out of the bottom two in the D Division.

The two stand-out individual performances in the victory came from the two people who had skippered the side this season. Kev Kelly, who was captain on day one of the term, stroked a wonderful century and Adam Holmes, who took over a week before claimed four wickets and also chipped in with a cameo knock of 21.

Batting first Honiton were bowled out for 198 led there by that splendid Kelly ton. Holmes then took 4-18 and Phil Tansley bagged a brace as the Mid Devon men were bowled out for 127.

Holmes said: “I still can’t believe the turnabout in our fortunes! When I lots a second successive toss I feared the worst. I’d have taken a 198 score before the first ball and so was very content with that at tea. Kev (Kelly) batted well. Then we bowled as a unit and I could not be happier with how things have started. Perhaps I should resign the captaincy now and quit whilst on top!”

The victory lifted Honiton out of the bottom two and up to fourth from bottom.

Looking up they are now just 26 points off third placed Shaldon who they travel to face this Saturday.

Holmes says: “More of the same would be great. It’s certainly not beyond us to go there and get a result.”

The Kelly brothers, Kev and Ian will miss the trip to Shaldon owing to holidays.