CHELSTON and Kingskerswell captain Mark Faulkner took a risk to win the game against Kenn that didn’t come off.

Kenn reached 191 for nine in their 45 overs – opener Ed Bragg making a top score of 101. Bob Dormer made 23 and Falk Koeller 21.

Pat Duke winkled out four batters at a cost of 65 runs and Russ Bennett weighed in with three for 32 from nine.

Chelston found runs hard to come by early on against Jack Thomas – nine overs for 14 runs – and a combination of Hugh Stronge and Pete Chislett.

Steve Waters (54) and Nick Guest got C&K into a position where they needed 100 to win from the final 15 overs.

Faulkner sent out the order ‘go for it’ but Chelston didn’t quite make it and finished 37 runs light.

Stronge returned for a second spell to take three for 36, skipper James Mason had three for 13 and there were two wickets each for Bragg and Dormer.

Kenn skipper James Mason said his side applied pressure in the field through tight bowling and accurate fielding, leaving Faulkner with only one option.

“Although we weren’t picking up wickets, they needed seven an over from 20 out and had to start looking big,” said Mason.

“Consistently bowling in right areas meant fields could be set and catches in the deep taken.

“Ed Bragg was superb first half with a really mature 100 that allowed others to bat around him.

“Jack Thomas bowled a superb opening spell. He was quick, he moved it both ways and was very controlled.”

Kenn sit top of the table, a point ahead of Whitchurch, who cruised to a five-wicket win over Exwick.

Exwick scored runs all the way down the order with Dan Machin (39) and Nick Rowe contributing 80 for the seventh wicket in a total of 218 all out. Ben Hodge (4-33) pipped Josh Towl (3-41) in the bowling returns.

Opener Towl then slammed an unbeaten 143 to see Whitchurch to victory in the 42nd over. A stand of 104 with Rich Hall (37) broke the back of the chase.

Nick Rose with three for 33 took the bowling plaudits for Exwick.

St Marychurch Old Boys were unable to raise a side for their trip to Whitchurch.

The league newcomers, who had played with eight against Exwick the week before, are due to visit Whitchurch this Saturday.