SHOBROOKE Park defeated newly promoted Dartington & Totnes by 62 runs to get their season firing after a false start.

Skipper Chris Simpson was always confident the opening day defeat by Ivybridge was a blip – and was proved right at Dartington.

Simpson led the way with the bat, hitting 83 as Shobrooke recovered from being 16 for three to make 169 for four.

Dartington & Totnes were all out for 107 in reply – Jacques Budricks taking three wickets and Ben Trenaman and Tom Youngman two each.

Left-armer Will Gornall tucked up Shobrooke openers Jon James and Chris Ford for five runs between them as the visitors struggled a first.

When Budricks was run out for nothing, Shhobrooke were 16 for three.

Simpson, who hit seven fours and a six on his 83 not out, put on 38 with Richard Pyle (12) to stop the slide.

Then Phil Anning (32no) joined his captain for an unbroken stand of 111.

Simpson said a change in the batting order paid off and praised Andy Codling for putting the team first.

“Andrew sacrificed his batting spot for the team to let Phil Anning come in,” said Simpson.  “Phil and I put on a hundred-run partnership and we ended with a good total considering the condition of the outfield.”

Darts were 11 for two after a wicket each for Budricks and James Bevan, then got to 47 for three thanks to a brisk 24 by Ed Verrall.

Simpson caught and bowled Verrall to send him back and from them on Darts went into a steady decline.

Harold Stevenson made 13, Gornall 11 and Ollie Payne 19. Burdicks came back for a crack at the tail and finished with three for 24.

“We bowled well from the start, James Bevan setting the standard with nine overs straight for not many runs ” said Simpson,.

Dartington & Totnes play at home to South Devon, another side who have struggled to get going.

Skipper James Howrihane has been unable to put a full side out so far, but hopes that will change for South Devon.

“Kalon Veale should be back and so should Chris Cook after dislocating a finger,” said Howrihane.

On the loss to Shobrooke, the D&T skipper said: “We bowled and fielded better than we did against Plymstock, but our batting still needs to improve.

“Shobrooke went for it in their last five overs and seemed good at landing the ball in gaps between our fielders.”