Uplyme and Lyme Regis Cricket Club made a poor start in their Devon League C Division campaign with the first team going down to Cullompton by 134 runs whilst the second eleven failed to raise a side and had to concede to Honiton.

Football, injuries, and exams led to a scratch 1st XI travelling to the newly promoted Cullompton.

Having won the toss the hosts chose to bat and made good use of a flat track. They raced to 37 before Xavier, having been sent back by Pullin was smartly run out by Nick Dinnison. Pullin went on to make amends by hitting a whirlwind century, the fortieth of his career. He gave one chance before he had reached his fifty when a steepling catch was put down by Rhys Davies off his own bowling. This proved to be the turning point of the game. The second wicket partnership between Pullin and Paul took the game away from the visitors.

The score was on 206 when Paul went for 63, caught Davies bowled James Dunford. It looked as though 300 plus was on the cards but to their immense credit Uplyme did not let their heads go down. They dismissed Cullompton for 264 taking the remaining eight wickets for 58 runs to keep themselves in the game. Mark Batey took four for 29 from six overs whilst Davies and Dunford chipped in with two wickets apiece. A steady start in reply was essential but it was not to be. Mark Bailey went first ball caught behind and was quickly followed in similar fashion by Rob Thom for five and Dunford without scoring, all falling to an accurate spell from opener Kalaan Nessling who took three for six from five overs. Uplyme regrouped and took the attack to the hosts with Nick Dinnison hitting some fine shots in his 45 before he nicked one to keeper Paul. He was accompanied by Michael van den Berg who had flown in from Cape Town that morning and had been transported directly from Axminster station to the game. Despite his far from ideal preparation he managed to contribute a well made

31 before being caught on the boundary. His demise ended the Uplyme resistance and the tail could only add a further 17 runs. The innings closed on 130 with 9 wickets down as Jed Whittington was unable to bat having dislocated a finger earlier in the field.

Uplyme entertain Barnstaple and Pilston next Saturday whilst the seconds travel to Kentisbeare. The club is hoping for a more positive response from its playing members to turn around its fortunes after the disappointments of week one.