THE first matches in the East Devon Bash T-20 cricket tournament, sponsored jointly by LymeOnline and the Nub News web site, got underway last week.

 The league, launched last year, has six teams competing from the following clubs in East Devon: Ottery St Mary, Sidbury, Honiton, Seaton, Upottery and Uplyme and Lyme Regis. 

 The format consists of ten-man teams who play each other home and away, each facing 20 six-ball overs. The final between the two top teams will be played in July.

 Last year the tournament was won by Seaton Pirates who got off to sticky start at home to Upottery Swingers.

 Seaton won the toss and put the Swingers into bat with Matt Broom top scoring on 60 and opener Smith chipping in with 48. Best bowling figures for the Pirates came from Ben Morgan (2 for 17).

 In reply, the Pirates were bowled out for 131 with Tony Tucker leading the run scoring with 37, followed by John Oldfield (19) and Matt Hewitt (18). Sellick and Maynard shared the bowling honours for Upottery with two wickets each.

 Last year's runners up, the Uplyme Muffin men, had a comfortable win over Honiton Hawks.

 Honiton won toss and batted. A quick opening spell from Nabi Temori and an incredible catch from Rhys Davies at mid-on saw the Hawks lose three quick wickets. Wickets fell at regular intervals with Honiton being all out for 108 in the 20 overs. 

 Joe Elsworth (29), Anand Abhishek (33 off 12) and Jack Lamb Wilson (29 not out) made light work of the chase.

In the third week one game Ottery Rising Super Beavors proved to be too strong for Sidbury Moles. The Beavors batted fitrst and posted 171-6 off the 20 overs with Jevon Isidore (34) and Tim Jeacock (31) top scoring. 

 Sam Saunders was the pick of the Sidbury bowlers, finishing with figures of 3-40 off four overs.

 The Moles never looked like challenging the Ottery total and were skittled out for 63 in 14 overs. Dave Connor (13) was the only home batter to reach double figures.

 Fixtures for matchweek 2, to be played on Thursday, June 9: Honiton Hawks v Seaton Pirates, Uplyme Muffin Men v Otter Rising Super Beavors, Sidbury Moles v Upottery Swingers.