Whimple returned from a visit to Halberton and Sampford Peverell with 19 points and news of defeat for Cullompton leaves them with an 11-point lead at the top of the table as the one-third mark of the Tolchards Devon league D Division East season arrives this Saturday (June 6).

Skipper Henry Gordon-Lennox won the toss and, with rain scheduled to arrive later in the day, wasted no time in asking the home side to bat.

Opening seamers Stephen Hathaway and Matt Parker did their early work well and, after eight overs the home side were 18-1 with Hathaway claiming the wicket.

Hathaway then knocked over the stumps of the other opener and that seemed to begin a procession of home wickets, the final one falling with their score on 93.

The bowlers shared the wicket taking duties with second change Phil Hope leading the way with four for 13 from 8.3 overs and there were two wickets each for Hathaway, parker and first change Luke Jefferson.

The Whimple reply was rapid – in its early stages – with openers Gordon-Lennox and Mike Searle plundering 22 runs off the first three!

The pair took the total on to 38 when Gordon-Lennox was bowled and a second wicket was lost when a mix-u[p between number three batsman Ben Silk and Searle ended with the latter being run out with the total on 56.

Silk followed him back to the pavilion, adjudged leg before wicket, and Will Bardot was dismissed for two leaving the run chase on 80-4. However, that was to be the last of the wickets to fall and the winning line was crossed with Rich Brown (16) and Matt Brown (7) at the wicket.

Skipper Gordon-Lennox said: “It was another solid performance with everyone doing their job. The only downside was losing a couple more wickets than we should have done and not getting maximum points. Despite Halberton not being at their strongest we did what we had to do – and convincingly – and can now look forward to Cullompton away this weekend and a top-of-the-table clash.”