Kilmington were involved in a thrilling D Division East encounter with visiting Cullompton.

The match produced 511 runs with the home side ultimately securing a 16-run success.

At 80-4 the home side were in need of a boost and they got it through Tom Gooding (58) and Sean Perry (87no). The pair added 85 for the fifth wicket and a knock of 30 from Dave Cook proved to be pivotal in terms of the final outcome.

The Cullompton reply was not too dissimilar to the home effort in as much as they too were in a spot of bother before the middle order, led by their skipper Jack Grandfield. However, a slip catch held by Tom Gooding off the bowling of Ben Noble, saw an end to the Grandfield knock. Noble went on to finish with figures of 3-35 and the Cully reply ended just short on 246-9.

Kilmington skipper Ralph Cook said; “It was a game that seemed to change course a number of times. We were in trouble until the Tom (Gooding) and Sean (Perry) partnership and at tea I was very happy with our total. That said I also felt we needed something like that, and I also expected the game to be close. They (Cullompton) gave it a right good go and took it to the wire with their skipper’s wicket clearly being the key. Ben (Noble) bowled superbly and his performance went a long way to making sure we secured victory.”

As for three wins in five to date, Cook says: “The season has begun well and it’s all rather as I expected with a section in which there are likely to be four or five who decide the top two berths and I suspect the key to a successful campaign is to make sure you win the big games.”

On Saturday Kilmington make the short trip to meet a Honiton side that will start the day sitting fourth in the division, one place and one point behind Cook’s men.