By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

SOUTH THREE

PAIGNTON 2^ndXI carried too much firepower for Ashburton, who were gunned down by 108 runs at Queen’s Park.

Connor Bryan (66) and Mark Smith (37) pointed Paignton towards a running total of 141 for three, then Tom Blundell (26), Sam Glanfield (46no) and Ollie Woodcock (26) kept the board spinning round towards 248 for seven.

Matt Churchill (1-24) and George Marshall (3-34) bowled Ashes’ best eight-over spells.

Ashburton’s problem was constructing partnerships with none of more than 40 appearing in their innings. Best in the book was the 37 by Dan Coles (21) and former Paignton all-rounder Steve Edmonds (27).

Jack Harman (2-34) bagged wickets up top, Blundell (2-33) and Jack Smith (2-13) had a couple in the middle and Stephen George (3-18) whipped out the stragglers as Ashes were dismissed for 140.

SHALDON Optimists share top spot in the South Three table with Paignton after a two-wicket win over Stoke Gabriel.

Stoke skipper Jack Tolley hurtled to 96 off 64 balls – 13 fours, five sixes – in a running total of 130 for two.

Tolley lobbed a catch to mid-off totally unaware he was four runs short of ton as the scoreboard was not showing individual scores.

Andrew Kingdon was more sedate compiling 52 off 73 balls in a knock that lasted until Stoke were all out for 221.

Shaldon seamer Tshepo Legodi (4-31) got into the middle order, which left Ben Coen (3-35) to dispose of the tail.

Seamus McKenna back with Shaldon after a three-year break from cricket, led the chase with 77 that took the reply to 150 for six.

There was a brief hiatus as McKenna, Coen and Will Greenwood fell for one run scored, but Mark Jameson (19no) was still there and played the straight-bat man to Legodi, who hit a cavalier 40 not out off 22 balls to settle the issue.

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