THORVERTON are in the relegation bottom three still looking for their first win of the season after they lost to Seaton by 49 runs.
Seaton were winless going into the game and something had to give one way or the other.
A Seaton win means Thorverton are back in the bottom three already, an area they know all too well after last season’s fight to stay up.
The pressure is on Thors to beat Abbotskerswell this Saturday to start moving up the table.
Seaton made 198 for five in 40 overs – Joel Seward top scoring on 75.
Matt Hewer (33) and Brian Cann (36) gave Seaton a 64-run start then Cann and Seward added another 39.
Stand of the day was one worth 81 compiled by Seward and skipper Ben Morgan (36).
Thors’ skipper Andy Pitt bowled eight tidy overs for just 17 runs conceded. Only Ranulph Harvey-Kelly of the rest went for four and over or below.
Thoverton were all out for 149 in reply, let down in part by a slow start coupled to a misfiring middle-order.
Rob Prior (3-9) applied early scoreboard pressure with the ball, aided an abetted by Joe Berry.
John Farley, second out on 66 for 39, was the only batter to make much headway.
Tim Mitchell (3-23) got into the middle order and from 104 for seven it was never going to happen for Thorverton.
Seppe Barletta (31) and Pitt wagged the tail for a while in a lost cause before Prior finished off the stragglers.
Losing captain Pitt said it wasn’t all gloom and doom as Thorverton showed some signs of an improvement on their first two games.
But Pitt wasn’t shy about picking out areas for concern either.
“Although our bowling improved slightly compared to the last few weeks, we let Seaton score 20-plus in easy singles,” said Pitt.
“Had we got through their top five earlier, it didn't look like they had much else.
“We probably need that bit of luck where catches go to hand rather than drop in gaps as quite a few did.
“Batting wise, we started far too slowly, partly down to their good bowling at the top and also because we didn't look proactive enough rotating the strike.
“It is always going to be an uphill battle when you are 22 for one after 10 overs chasing 199 in 40.
“The potential for the team to do well is there. I wouldn't say we are doing much wrong, but we just need that bit of luck.”
It was Seaton’s first league win since being promoted and one achieved slightly against the odds.
“We batted well in tricky conditions, bowled very well and fielded a lot better - all despite not having our full strength side out,” said skipper Ben Morgan.
“It was nice for the batsmen to get some runs.
“Brian Cann, Joel Seward and myself have had a tricky start so was nice to get a bit of confidence and that first win before the home with Filleigh.”
