After winning last week, Kilmington hosted one of the A division big guns, Exeter, in a game where they knew they started clear second favourites, writes Martin Huscroft.
Exeter won the toss and put Kilmington in to bat. After a solid start of 56-1 after 11 overs, thanks to Josh Cann (13) and Matt Rockett (29), against a rapid Exeter pace attack of Somerset staffer Joe Gore and Sri Lanka Under 23 player Jehan Daniel, they were struggling at 72-4. Joel Seward (48) joined Billy Reed (95) and the pair added 134 in 22 overs for the 5th wicket. Useful runs from skipper Brett Garner (19) helped Kilmington post a good, but not insurmountable, 256-9 off their 50 overs. Wickets were shared with Sam Read (3-56) gaining most reward.
Kilmington's opening bowlers Oscar Oborn-Corby (1-33) and Oli Reed (3-41) got stuck into the top order to reduce Exeter to 22-3 after 7 overs, thanks in par to an astonishing catch by Matt Rockett. Good bowling mid innings by Josh Short (2-51) and Rob Crabb (2-31) kept Kilmington in the game, but Sam Read (66) was a big threat. A clatter of wickets, including Read's, left Exeter at 154-8, but the tail wagged through Joe Gore (43*) and Archie Spittles (31). The game remained in the balance until the final over when Exeter finished 17 runs short on 239-9.
An extraordinary day for the club, watched by a large crowd. Groundsman and all-time leading run scorer John Lavender, not a man known for hyperbole, summed it up best: "Possibly the best result in the club's history!"
Kilmington move into second place in the A Division, one point behind leaders Abbotskerswell.
Kilmington 19 points; Exeter 1st X1 8 points
Seaton bottom of the table
Playing their first home match of the season, Seaton failed to cash in on an excellent start in their Devon Cricket league A Division match against Barton.
Openers Damian Baxter (79) and Matthew Hewer (57) put on 141 but the middle order and tail-end collapsed and they were 221-8 at the end of their 50 overs.
Barton knocked off the required runs for the loss of five wickets with opener Shaun Needham (61) setting the pace and good knocks from Adam Parker (65) and Steve Lewis (54).
Best bowling figures for Seaton were returned by Tim Doulton with three wickets for the loss of 36 runs.
The defeat sees Seaton in bottom place in the A Division with just 12 points after two games.
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