EXMOUTH remain firmly in contention for the Premier title after a 110-run win over Bradninch put them within four points of new leaders Exeter.

Dan Pyle thumped 129 as Exmouth made 305 for six in 50 overs.

David Lye (4-38) slowed Bradninch after a rapid start provided by Tendal Maruma (42) and they were all out in reply for 195.

Former Devon skipper Bob Dawson has taken over the Exmouth captaincy while skipper Richard Baggs is trying to rediscover his form in the second team.

Dawson said Exmouth’s issue this season was failing to score enough runs and he hoped the win over Bradninch was a corner turned.

“Sooner or later someone was going to get in and make a big score,” said Dawson.

“We have had plenty of 20s, 30s and 40s, but on their own they are seldom enough.

“Dan went out and played the sort of innings we have been waiting for. Apart from one chance, he didn’t put a foot wrong.

“When you have an innings like that, then the 20s, 30s and 40s from the rest all add up towards a potentially winning total.”

Pyle went in after Maruma had broken an opening stand of 65 between Sandy Allen (36) and Callum French.

Miles Lenygon (45) and Pyle added 133 for the third wicket. Pyle was still going strong 190 runs after gong on when Gary Chappell (2-42) spun him out. The Devon left-hander hit 17 fours and two sixes during a 96-ball stay.

Maruma went after Billy Rudolph when the ball was new, hitting 34 of his 42 off 27 balls in boundaries.

Lye and Andy Buzza got the brake on as, Chappell and Kian Burns (25) excepted, Bradninch struggled to make progress.

Once Chappell was eighth out on 187 for 60 off 90 balls, the end wasn’t far away.

The Ninch have lost two in a row and six of their last seven Premier Division starts. They are one off the bottom with 16 points to find to get out of the relegation places.

Chappell, the Bradninch captain, remains upbeat despite the tough position his side is in.

“We didn’t play that badly, just beaten by a better team,” said Chappell.

“A few things we could have done better, but certainly there were some positives to take forward.

“Although we dropped Dan Pyle on 60, he batted superbly for his 100.”