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WHO says you have to have runs by the bucketload and star overseas player to make a game exciting?

   The E Division 2 nd XI is the home of real grass-roots cricket where young and old slug it out without an overseas player in sight.

   And there was no better example of grass-roots cricket at its finest than the game between Exeter Civil Service and Ashburton, which couldn't have been tenser or more keenly contested from start to finish.

   Civil batted first in bowler-friendly conditions and struggled to make 112 all out with 11 of their 46 overs to come.

   Extras (28) provided the top score while   Westle (20) hit most off the bat. Ashes' skipper Steve Harvey (3-29) initially put the skids under Civil. Jerry Crouch (4-48) knocked over the middle order and young Kris Connabeer (2-13) mopped up the tail.

   Ashes had 57 overs to score 113 to win at two runs per over – which seemed straightforward until Civil seamer Robin Lambert got involved.

   Lambert, formerly with Dawlish and Ipplepen, bowled 17 overs straight through for figures of eight for 48 as Ashes batters found runs just as hard to come by as Civil's did.

   John Horton (18) and Alan Churchill (12) held the bowling at bay for some time then father and son Buz (34) and Russ (16no) Lacey edged Ashes towards the winning total.

   Lambert removed Buz Lacey with the scores level, meaning it was down to last man Connabeer and the surviving Lacey to win the game.

   Connabeer (0no) managed to see off Lambert's three remaining overs and watch Russ slap a four through point to win the match.