YELVERTON Bohemians slipped up against Topsham St James in a low-scoring affair at Langton Park.

Bowling first, Peter Lojszczsk and Sam Crompton (0-8) kept things tight without a breakthrough, however with the introduction of Dan Keylock (4-24), and supported by Richard West (2-14) and Dan Farnham on debut (1-7) reduced Topsham to 85-8., of which Mark Phillips had made 38.

A period of resistance from Topsham allowed them to reach 121 – Ed Baxter (38) and George Devereaux putting on 38 -  before Lojszczsk (2-24) returned to complete the innings in the 42nd over.

In reply, Yelverton could not have got off to a worse start with opener Pat Hobbs bowled first ball.

A good start was essential for Topsham and Ross Treleaven (4-33), who had received a hearty send-off when batting, needed no encouragement to roar in and skid the first ball through the batsman’s defences and leave Yelverton at 0-1.

After a small amount of resistance from Hadleigh Scott-Kirk (13) and Luke Julyan (6), a spell of accurate bowling a poor shot selection, Yelverton collapsed to 60-8, the wickets shared between Ross Treleaven (4-33) and Mark Phillips (4-11).

When the score crept into the 90s, it was getting tense and looking like it would go down to the wire.  

However at this point captain Kirby decided to bring back Phillips (4-11) for a second spell and, with renewed vigour, bowled straight and quick and eventually managed to beat the bat again and this time hit the stumps.  

Wicket number nine quickly became wicket number ten and Topsham St James had secured their first win.   

Despite the best efforts from Keylock (27*) and Crompton (11), only three Yelverton batsmen reached double figures, they were bowled out for 98.

ASHBURTON overwhelmed Newton St Cyres by 161 runs in a one-sided encounter.

The two Ashleys – Harvey and Berry – were the main run getters in a total of 213 all out.

Opener Harvey made 49 – he was second out on 73 – then captain Berry flogged 13 fours on the way to 85. he was ninth out.

Tom Dowle took the bowling plaudits for St Cyres with five for 34 and there were three wickets for Jack Withers.

St Cyres were skittled out for 52 in reply – 23 of which were extras.

The Coon brothers – Matt (3-10) and Will (4-14) did the early damage, leaving Lloyd White (2-12) to flush out the stragglers.

Victory leaves Ashburton joint top of the table with Shaldon Optimists. Ashes visit Kenn this Saturday.

STOKEINTEIGNHEAD were seven-wicket losers by a distance when they met Kenn.

Paul Russell (26) and Mark Russell (21) had the only scores of note in a total of 107 all out.

Former Bovey Tracey 2nd XI captain James Mason picked up three for 15 and Rob Parsons claimed three for 20.

Kenn lost Kevin Hughes early to Mark Russell, but Ed Bragg’s 60 put Kenn in sight of victory.

When Bragg went at 104 for three the game was over as a contest anyway.

Stokeinteignhead are away to Buckand Monachorum this Saturday.