SHOBROOKE Park were on the receiving end as Ivybridge showed why they will be on the promotion shortlist this season in b a 78-run.

Ivybridge’s total of 240 for seven was anchored by their Devon U14 rising star Abraham Kopparambil,, who opened the innings and top scored with 67.

Koppraambil toured South Africa a year early with Devon U15s last winter and performances like this show why.

Jake Zimmerman made 42 – he had Kopparambil put on 95 for the first wicket – then Adam Huxtable and the surviving opener took the tally up to 165 for two.

After Da Silva cam and went for two, one of three wickets to go for 11 runs to James Bevan (2-43) and Chris Simpson (3-49), the Bridge accelerated at the end with Gareth Andrews (18) and Harry Solomon (27) chipping in towards the 45 scored in the last five overs.

Shobrook were all out for 162 in reply – and after the locals softened them up Sri Lankan spinner Jeewan  Da Silva finished them off.

Opener Jon James made 62 in a running total of 93 for three, then Jacques Burdicks added 49 as Shobrooke reached 135 for four.

DaSilva had Burdicks stumped and that was the beginning of the end for Shobrooke.

Only Andrew Codling made it into double figures as Da Silva spun his way to figures of five for 19 as Shobrooke lost their last six wickets went for 27 runs.

Skipper Simpson said Shbrooke looked rusty at first but improved as the game unfolded.

“We didn't start too well – could tell it was our first game – then after drinks we bowled a lot better got some control back in the game.

“Mark Wheeler came up from the 2nd XI to play and he was our best bowler. Tom Youngman bowled well, they just got too many runs.

“For our first game we had a lot of positives, we'll all get to training on Thursday, and hopefully put in a good performance on Saturday.

“Phil Anning is coming back into the side and having another spinner will help.”

After the game, Ivybridge skipper Kelvin Trent revealed Ivybridge had been hindered by fielding a man short for most of the game after losing Huxtable to injury,

“Our bowling and fielding was extremely good, considering we fielded for 35 overs with 10 men,” said Trent.

He added: “Well we batted well to score 240. Our batting partnerships were very good and helped building a good start.

“All in all, good promising start, hopefully we can build soon it for our next game on Saturday against Thorverton.”