Hill's ton makes light work of Abbots' chase against Braunton | 'Charlie (pictured) was truly dominant and dismissive. He was well supported by our top order, but it really was his day' – Ed Smout-Cooper

CHARLIE Hill hit an unbeaten century for Abbotskerswell in their four-wicket win over previously unbeaten Braunton on the Two-Mile Oak ground.

It was Abbotskerswell’s first league win of the season and moved them off the bottom of the table.

Theo Valeri (76) and tail-ender James Lake (21) dug Braunton out of trouble at 48 for eight with a stand worth 61 towards a final total of 218 all out.

Abbots dished-up 57 in extras – 47 of them wides – to give the runs-scored column a handy boost.

Chris Clough (3-42) led the bowling effort for Abbots. There were two wickets each for Harrison Vickery and Alfie Harrison. Jay Hussain (0-16 off 7) bowled 30 dot balls and gave little away.

Hill sparked the chase into life by hitting Lake’s first ball for four – and added 21 more on the way to an unbeaten 113!

Best of the supporting acts on the way to victory was left-hander Richard Harmer with 30. He and Hill put on 130 for the first wicket.

Lake finished with respectable figures of four for 44. – the last three in the space of four balls on the last lap to an Abbots’ win.

Ed Smout-Cooper, the Abbotskerswell captain, knew exactly where to start handing out the praise. 

“Charlie hill was fantastic for his 100,” said Smout-Cooper.

“We all know Charlie’s quality and it was great to see him play an innings that confirms it. 

“Charlie was truly dominant and dismissive. He was well supported by our top order, but it really was his day.”

Smout-Cooper felt Abbots’ bowling game improved and he wrote-off the 47 wides as ‘a few freak overs’. 

“Had it not been for Valeri, who batted superbly, we could've had Braunton all out for well under a par score,” said Smout-Cooper.

“I'd still like to see us step up another gear with the ball because, as we've learnt from the last two weeks, it won't always come so easily.”

Sam Reddick, the Braunton captain, said every game is a learning gain with tasks to act on.

“We still seem to have some early season habits we can't shake,” said Reddick.

“Soft dismissals, and not executing with the new ball, are costing us during key periods of the game.

“Lessons are being learned each week and we will bounce back from our first loss

“Overall, Abbots were the better side. Charlie Hill batted extremely well and completely dominated the run chase.”