EXMOUTH are up to fourth in the Premier table thanks to an 85-run win over struggling Brixham.

It seemed Brixham’s fortunes might just be on the change as they bowled out Exmouth for 189 – captain for the day Lee Upham bagging five wickets for 27 runs.

Exmouth captain Richard Baggs had been relieved to get 189 on the board having been 50 for five at one stage.

Brixham’s frailties with the bat were still there though and they slumped to 32 for seven in reply as Husnan Kazmi (4-19) and Jon Evenett (3-9) ripped into them.

“Ultimately it was a good win for us,” said Baggs.

“Fifty for five was worrying, but our lower order really got stuck in and we had two vital stands.”

Baggs praised his seam attack, saying: “Jon Evernett bowled really well, Kazmi bowled great lines and Alvin operated at a  good pace.”

The first three Brixham batters all went for ducks and the best of the rest at 32 for seven was Adam Edwards with six off 35 balls.

It didn’t help Brixham’s cause that captain Andy Pugh, the former Devon and Exmouth batsman, didn’t travel due an eye condition, although he did turn out for the 2nd XI at home.

Simon Caunter (32) and Tom Blundell (24) used up 14 overs putting on 59 for the eighth wicket, a stand that ended when paceman Kazmi returned for a second spell and got Blundell in three balls.

The last three wickets went for seven runs as Brixham folded to 98 all out.

Exmouth didn’t get the best of starts when they batted and were 71 for six after 16 overs,

Callum French made 16, David Lye and Dan Pyle chipped in a couple of 11s and there wasn’t much from the rest.

Stephen George – two for 33 from seven overs – and Corné Dry (1-39) both kept the lid on Exmouth before Upham started working through them.

Skipper Baggs dug in for 34 off 56 balls in 85 minutes at the crease to lead the fightback, putting on 64 with Evenett (28) for the seventh wicket.

Upham accounted for Baggs, but had trouble budging the tail-enders.

Last pair Finaly Marks (18) and Alvin Pollard (10) put on 31 for the tenth wicket in a stand that ended when paceman Dry came back and knocked over Pollard.

Orchard, playing against his former club for the first time, said:“I thought we bowled and fielded brilliantly.

“We gave them nothing early and continued to build the pressure throughout.

“It took a very good innings from Richard Baggs to build a total.