Kilmington head into their final match of the Tolchards Devon League season needing 10 points to make sure they stay top and so win C Division East title and step up into the third tier of county league cricket next year.

Midweek Herald: Matt Pile bowling for Kilmington at home to Sidmouth 2nds CC. Ref mhsp 33 18TI 9749. Picture: Terry IfeMatt Pile bowling for Kilmington at home to Sidmouth 2nds CC. Ref mhsp 33 18TI 9749. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Their final home game went the same way as every other home has this campaign, the meting with Whimple ending in a victory by 105 runs.

After being put in, Kilmington were eventually bowled out for 250 with Billy Reed top scoring with 90. John Short 55 and Tom Gooding 28 provided the ‘best of the rest’ scores.

When Whimple replied two early wickets for Matt Pile and one for Ollie Reed saw the visitors slip to 13-3 and, despite something of a fight back, they were always looking unlikely to deny the home side a 15th victory in 17 matches this league season.

The Kilmington bowling honours went to Ollie Reed with his return of 3-17 and there were a brace of wicket for both Matt Pile (3-13) and Tom Olive (2-9).

Kilmington skipper Bret Garner said: “At one stage we looked as if we might not get to 200 which would have meant being unable to bank all 20 points, but Billy [Reed] opened his shoulders and attacked at the right time to make sure it was not a problem.

“Once we had 250 I was very confident that we would be able to see the game out and so it proved as the bowlers, once again did their job very soundly.”

With regard to the last day of the season and the fact his team go into needing 10 points Garner says: “We will go into the meeting with Budleigh fully focussed on what we need to do. We will not be worrying about what may or may not be going on elsewhere. That would be distracting. For the past few weeks the lads have been so positive and we have worked so hard to reach a stage where, if we win our last game then we are going up.”