SEATON got off to a difficult start in the Devon Cricket League Premier East Tier 1 in a rain-affected opening game against a strong Sidmouth XI at the Fortfield.

Seaton won the toss and elected to field. Sidmouth started well, putting on 125 for the first two wickets and finishing on 226-9 in 26 overs.

Alex Barrow top scored on 60 (8 4s) before being caught by Ben Morgan off Wesley Holmes. The Bess brothers weighed in with useful runs (Luke with 46, Josh with 31 and Zac with 19).

Nick Mansfield carried his bat for 24 and Dylan Hurst made 15.

Skipper Ben Morgan was the pick of the Seaton bowlers, taking four wickets for the loss of 30 runs off five overs with Wesley and and Daley Holmes both claiming a brace.

Seaton were no match for the five-man Sidmouth attack, scoring just 54 off 25 overs for the loss of eight wickets.

Only two Seaton players reached double figures – opener Josh Cann (12) and Robbie Prior (15).

The wickets were shared by Ollie Pugsley (3-12 off five overs) and Jordan Fowler (2-9) with Zac Bess, Dylan Hunt and Byron Knowles claiming one apiece.

Seaton 5 points; Sidmouth 19 points. (Because of rain, the target was revised at 228 but this has to be ratified by league officials).

The other game in Premier East Tier 1, Exmouth v Budleigh Salterton, was rained off.

Next Saturday (August 1) Seaton are at home to Budleigh Salterton.

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Competing in East E1 (Tier 3), KILMINGTON earned 19 points from a nine-wicket victory at home to Upottery on run rate after rain stopped play.

Kilmington won the toss and put Upottery into bat. They lost an early wicket when opener Jack Smith was bowled with only one run on the board. But fellow opener Jack Larcombe steadied the ship with a fine knock of 63 and Matthew Button-Stephens tested the home bowlers with a half century.

Upottery scored 182 for 8 from 35 overs. Pick of the Kilmington bowlers were Tom Oliver (3-55), Josh Short (2-12) and Oliver Reed (2-15).

In reply, Kilmington were on 117-5 when rain stopped play after 16.5 overs with opener Josh Short carrying his bat for 78 runs and well supported by Tom Oliver (21).

Kilmington 19 points, Upottery 4 points.

On Saturday (August 1) Kilmington are away to Sidmouth 2nds.

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UPLYME AND LYME REGIS made an impressive start in Devon League E East 3 Tier 5 mini-league with a comprehensive home victory over Ottery St Mary 2nds.

The rain affected the game with the start being delayed by two hours with the overs being reduced to 30.

Ottery won the toss and put Uplyme into bat, claiming two quick wickets, opener Alfie Jacques falling with just one run to his name and Number 2 Joe Elsworth failing to trouble the scorers.

But then Tyler Wellman joined his cousin and opening bat Steve Batey who in a scintillating partnership of 177, took the score to 206-2 with Wellman, who was in intimidating form, reaching his third century for Uplyme, hitting his 100th run of the very last ball of the innings.

Ottery tried another six bowlers to try and break the partnership but after Luke Tierney and Freddie Elu-Barker claimed the early Uplyme wickets.

In reply, Ottery scored 85 for the loss three wickets off 20 overs before the rain returned, the score being adjusted to 155 giving Uplyme a 121 victory. Steve Batey, Harvey Brimicombe and Dave Matthews shared the wickets with one apiece.

Uplyme 16 points; Ottery 3 points.

Next Saturday (August 1) Uplyme are away to Axminster.

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AXMINSTER'S away match in E East Tier 3 against Honiton was reduced to 20 overs due to the rain.

Honiton won the toss and put Axminster into bat who hit 87-9 with Daniel Murname top scoring on 40 with Bradley Conway (12) and Benjamin Webb (10) the only other batsmen to get into double figures.

Bowling honours for Honiton went to Adam Holmes who claimed five victims for the loss of just five runs off four overs. Wily Graham weighed in with 2-19.

Honiton knocked off the required 88 runs for victory in 15.3 overs for the loss of five wickets with opener Dave Hysom top scoring on 32. Keiran Conway (26) and Michel Docherty (14) helped the score along.

Honiton 18 points; Axminster 4 points.

This Saturday (August 1) Axminster are at home to Uplyme & Lyme Regis.

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In East E 4 (Tier 6) at home to Woodbury and Newton St Cyres, SEATON 2nd X1 were put into bat were and skittled out for 80 in 25 overs, losing nine wickets in the process.

Middle order batsman Tom Doulton top scored with 18. Opener Harvey Brown (15), Joshua Thomas (14) and Anthony Chadwick (12) were the only other batsmen to get into double figures.

The Woodbury and Newton St Cyres six-man attack shared the wickets with Mukesh Purohit (2-7), Becca Silk (2-8) and Daniel Alford (2-22) troubling the batsmen.

The visitors knocked off the required runs for a nine-wicket victory in 18.5 overs for the lost of just one wicket with opener Shennan Grossberg (39) and Simon Vicary (20) top scoring.

Oliver Aplin took Seaton's lone wicket.

Seaton 2nd X1 2 points; Woodbury and Newton St Cyres 19 points.

On Saturday (August 1) Seaton 2nds will be away to Sampford Peverill and Tiverton.

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CHARDSTOCK's East E 2 (Tier 4) match against Sampford Peverill and Tiverton was rained off.

On Saturday (August 1) Chardstock are at home to Kentisbeare.