JOEL Seward hit an unbeaten 54 as Seaton eased to a seven-wicket win over B Division newcomers Bovey Tracey 2nd XI.
Bovey cobbled together a total of 134 for eight in their 45 overs – and did well to get that far having been 41 for five.
Seward’s left-arm spin (2-20) had caused problems, as did Ben Libby’s (3-8) seamers.
Freddie Eyston (28) and Dan Green (38) stopped the rot during a stand of 69 for the sixth wicket that ended when Joe Berry (2-18) split them up.
Green had an early success when he bowled Rhys Davies, but after that it was a slog for the Bovey bowlers.
Opener Steve Pritchard blocked up one end for 21 off 73 balls while Seward made his half century at the other end.
A double strike by Jeremy Christophers (2-19) slowed Seaton briefly, but Seward and skipper Ben Morgan (26no) wiped of the last 61 needed with the minimum of fuss.
KARL Vendrasco made an instant impact for Plymstock with a match-winning 77 not out in a six-wicket victory over visiting Ipplepen.
Pens stumbled to 131 all out in the 33rd of their 45 overs, no one making more than skipper Sam Wakeham with 28 after coming in at 94 for six. He was the last man out.
Mawgan Penrice (23) and Ashley Harvey (25) chipped in to reaching 94 for six.
There were three wickets each for county prospect Rob Cunningham (3-28) and spinner Ian Whalley (3-23).
Olly Mulberry went cheaply before Plymstock reached double figures, but a stand of 96 between Vendrasco and surviving opener James Nicholls (28).
Tom Durman’s three wickets for Pens came too late to change the outcome.
Nicholls, who is also vice-captain, said it was a great way to underline Plymstock’s intentions for the season.
He added: “We bowled ok and we were brilliant in the field, but know there’s more to come.
“We built pressure through the middle and took our chances well.
“Ipplepen bowled really well but with no scoreboard pressure we could really build.
“Karl batted superbly well and doesn’t half strike a clean ball!
“On to Bovey next where we aim to build on a great start for us.”
THORVERTON turned in a thoroughly workmanlike performance to beat Brixham by seven wickets at Station Road.
Brixham, who volunteered for relegation from the A Division at the end of last season, were all out for 106 in the 42nd over. They were 24 for five after a battering from Ben Slaviero (3-17) before Simon Caunter (41no) and Nathan Way (19) put on 57 for the sixth wicket.
Jake Choules accounted for Way and went on to take five for 16 as Brixham’s lower order crumbled.
Thors’ run chase was a routine affair, punctuated by wickets falling at 13, 40 and 87.
Opener John Farley batted through for 40 not out and was supported on the last lap by David Baldock (18no).
Thors’ skipper Andy Pitt said after reducing Brixham to 24 for five there was only one likely outcome.
He added: “Brixham had a long sixth-wicket partnership but they didn't get away from us.
“Everyone kept calm, with all the bowlers keeping it tight, then Jake Choules mopped up the tail.
“Batting wise we got the job done. We lost a couple of wickets but you're always going to chasing a low total.”
NEW skipper Jason Parr hit an unbeaten 60 to steer Cullompton to a three-wicket win at Chudleigh.
Cully appeared to have done the hard bit after holding Chudleigh to 138 for nine in their 45 overs.
Captain Will Heather made a top score of 37 and the next best off the bat was 17 from tail-ender Mark Heather, the captain’s dad.
Chudleigh were glad of 43 extras given away by Cully – 35 of them wides.
Jacob Dienes (3-23) and Todd Scrace (3-24) were the pick of the Cully bowlers.
Cullompton slumped to 51 for five in reply – opener Darren Paul (21) resisting – and 74 for six was hardly an improvement.
Parr and Scrace put on 61 for the seventh wicket to take Cully within three runs of victory.
