Upottery returned from their visit to Winslade Park, Exeter where they met Countess Wear in a Division East game, with 18 points after claiming a 41 run success.

However, skipper Mark Joyce confessed post match to feeling a little disappointed about the game.

He said: “To be honest I was disappointed in the approach that they [Countess Wear] had to the run chase. Our score was a good one, but it was also one I felt they might have a go at. Instead, they were very negative and it was only with the final ball that we managed to bag the sixth wicket to bank 18 points.”

He continued: “A huge positive is that the batsmen all delivered and that’s a first this season. It was good that they all got in, and contributed.

“I feel we are well equipped this season to make a challenge for a top three finish, which would mean stepping up another division. We have brought in some new players and have good all-round strength, and the knock-on is a stronger 2nd XI, so there are real grounds for optimism at the cub about the season head.”

After being asked to bat first, Upottery skipper Mark Joyce saw all his batters make contributions with the lowest total being the unbeaten 14 that Kalann Nessling scored. Indeed it was Nessling and the skipper who saw the side through to their close of 255-6 with Joyce unbeaten on 34 having faced just 13 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes!

James Mitcham top scored with an 85-ball 71 that included six fours and three sixes and he put on a quick-fire 66 for the fourth wicket with the previous weekend centurion, Rob Tasker, who scored 42 from a 34 ball stay at the wicket during which time he hit four fours and three sixes.

When Countess Wear replied, opening seamer Nessling struck early on to leave the home side 5-1. They recovered to 61-2 and then slipped to 112-4 before closing on 204-6, well short of the total required to win the contest.

In terms of the bowling figures, Lee Nessling, father of Kalann, sent down a full complement of nine overs (1-29) and there were wickets also for Rob Tasker (2-42 from eight), Andrew Pulman (1-40 from seven) and Kalann Nessling (1-24 from five).

Next up for Upottery, who sit fifth in the table after two wins and one defeat from their first three games, is a home meeting with Sandford 2nds, who are the second string of one of two Premier clubs playing in the new all-through League D Division East.

Sandford will provide a strong challenge with regard to the Glebe Park unbeaten record that Upottery enjoy. Skipper Joyce says: “We remain unbeaten since our move to Glebe Park and we would like to see that run continue.

“We played North Devon 2nds on the opening day and did not do ourselves justice and I’d like to think, based on our efforts at Countess Wear, that we will be more than capable of giving Sandford a game at our place on Saturday.”