DAVID Lye claimed his first six-wicket Premier Division haul to speed Exmouth to a 23-run win at Paignton.
Exmouth’s situation didn’t look great after they were bowled out for 156 – their last five wickets falling for 14 runs – and Paignton were 92 for four in reply.
Paignton collapsed in a heap once Lye got to work and despite the best efforts of last pair Steve George and Richard Ashworth the game got away from them.
That’s played two and won both for Exmouth, who are a point behind Bovey Tracey at the top of the table.
Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs was quick to praise Lye for his role in the win.
“It was always in the balance until David took three wickets in one over, said Baggs.
“The bowlers are doing a great job and I think we can only get better.”
The down side for Baggs was a scratchy batting display and a lengthening injury list.
“Our middle have now failed badly twice so we need to buck that up but the attitude and intensity was fantastic and cannot fault anyone,” said Baggs.
“Sam Harris has a back problem, which might mean a little while out, Fin Marks is struggling with thigh problem along with my shoulder, Bob Dawson’s knee and Dave Lye’s bad back.
“We are a bit like walking wounded, but two wins is a brilliant start and I couldn't ask for more while we crocks wait for our injections.”
Exmouth set off smartly with openers Sandy Allen and Lye hoisting 75 for the fist wicket.
George Yates (1-24) broke the stand by bowling Lye for 45 then George (2-40) accounted for Callum French and Dan Pyle in quick succession.
Allen kept going, but Chris Kelmere (2-31) kept whittling away at the middle order.
Dan Wolf (4-10) picked off Allen at 146 for six and ran through the lower order like a dose of salts.
Harry Ward (20) and skipper Ashworth got Paignton up to 70 for four, which became 92 for five when Dan Pyle bowled Kelmere.
Lye, who already had Wolf’s scalp, shot through the middle order, taking three wickets in four balls to dispatch Rob Shergold, George Benton and Yates.
When Aaron Hearn was ninth out at 109, it looked like a done deal.
Ashworth was still there though and went on to reach 46 not out before George was last man out on 133.
Paignton skipper Richard Ashworth felt it was a game his side lost rather than one Exmouth won.
“After winning the toss and putting Exmouth in, we didn't bowl well for the first 10-15 overs,” said Ashworth.
“We bowled far too many four balls against two very good players and they made us pay.”
Ashworth said a turning point was George Yates bowling Lye followed by George, Kelmere and Wolf running through the middle and lower order.
“I thought we came back really well to bowl then out for 156,” said Ashworth.
Ashworth agreed with Baggs that Lye’s three-wicket over was pivotal, but said there was more to losing than that.
“We were always ahead of the rate and just needed one more person to bat through,” said Ashworth.
“There were a few rash shots and a perhaps a bit of inexperience showed through against a side that bowled well.
“Really we should have chased down that score on a half-decent wicket.
“Once Lye had finished we needed about 30 to win off 14 overs.
The pitch wasn't doing much and I backed us to get over the line. We lost 12 overs for rain and the DL score when we went back on with two overs to go was still 157 to win.
“Frustrating, but we should never have put ourselves in that position.
“There's still positives to take from the game and overall I'm pleased with how we've started the season.”
