BABBACOME made up for their opening day defeat at Abbotskerswell with a 60-run home win over Whitchurch Wayfarers.

Babbacombe overcame the early loss of opener Chris Penner to make 217 for six – Mike Pugh top scoring on 90 not out.

Billy Alcock (40), Iraq Thomas (26) and Matt Inch (28) all batted with Pugh as the tally mounted.

Whitchurch reached 97 for three in reply, then lost four wickets for 28 runs and with it the match.

There was no coming back from that and they subsided to 157 all out. There were three wickets each for skipper Steve Broad and Tim Goodwin.

For Broad the game was an example of learning from your mistakes and putting them right.

“Partnerships were one of the key things discussed before the game and we delivered on this.

“After losing an early wicket, Pugh and Alcock compiled 79, taking the score on to 84.

“Iraq Thomas put on 46 with Mike, then Matt Inch and Pugh put on 63 after we lost three wickets cheaply – me among them.”

Broad said Whitchurch couldn’t repeat the partnerships or the rescue act, which was why Babbacombe won.

“Billy Barriball and Ewen Smith both looked dangerous when they were together for their 43 and 39 respectively,” said Broad.

“After 78 for two they had no further partnerships and lost wickets regularly

The game was preceded by a minute’s silence for former Whitchurch chairman Brian Barriball, who died the day before.