SKIPPER Chris Simpson turned in a man-of-the-match performance in Shobrooke Park’s 119-run win over visiting Braunton.

First, Simpson lashed a quickfire century as Shobrooke raced to 260 for seven in 45 overs.

Then the Aussie all-rounder got among the wickets with a three-for-17 haul to kill off Braunton’s resistance.

The win puts Shobrooke fifth in the table going into Saturday’s trip to Tavistock.

Simpson went in a three after Shobrooke lost opener Chris Ford for a dozen to Jon Baglow (2-33) and struck-up a 117-run partnership with surviving opener Jon James (62).

There was a further stand of 54 with Jacques Burdicks with Simpson going on to reach his ton off 72 balls with eight fours and the same number of sixes.

Former Devon player Neil Bettis (3-34) trapped Simpson lbw next ball.

With wickets in hand, Andy Codling (23) and Richard Pyle (17) were able to play a few shots to keep the board ticking over.

Baglow, Mick Cashmore and Martin Smith kept it tight when they bowled,  but the change bowlers struggled to stay below five an over.

Braunton ran into trouble early as Burdicks (2-32), James Bevan (1-26) and Dan Robbins (2-19) reduced them to 78 for six.

Smith (29) and Mark Mitchell (22) hung around for a while, as did skipper Baglow for 24.

Simpson came back at the end to knock over Baglow and Mark Johnson as Braunton were bowled out with 10 overs to go for 141.

Simpson wasn’t around after the match as he shot off on tour with some of his team-mates to Surrey.

Former captain and club secretary Pyle was available for comment and praised Simpson for his form and handling of the game.

“It was a good decision to bat as that was always our best chance of winning it,” said Pyle.

“Chris Ford and Jon James saw off the new ball and their better bowlers, then Chris got stuck into them.

“We felt at tea that 260 was too many for Braunton, but you have to be wary of Bettis as he can change a game.

“One Jacques Burdicks got Betts we knew the game was ours and we kept chipping away to get them all out.”