Four half-centuries in Upottery run glut ... only three of them off the bat! | Ollie Smith reporting from the F Division East

UPOTTERY 2nd XI secured their third straight win since the start of the season after defeating Sidmouth 3rd XI by 199 runs. 

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, openers Matt Button-Stephens and Peter-John Kaal got the hosts off to a flyer, putting on 144 for the first wicket, with both batters raising the bat for 50. 

Jack Smith came and went for a quickfire 28, before Jason Kennard then came to the crease at 183-2, blitzing his way to 88 from 44 deliveries, adding to his century last week.  

The fourth fifty-plus score of the innings came via the way of extras, 58 of them in total - 42 of them wides - which gave Upottery a total of 365 from their 45 overs. 

The best of the Sidmouth bowlers, and the only one to achieve an economy of less than a run a ball, was Thomas Burhop, who returned figures one for 42 from his eight overs.

BOGGED DOWN

The Sidmouth innings was bogged down by the other two Kennards in the Upottery lineup, as Shane and Gary shared five wickets. The pick of the Sidmouth bowlers was also the pick of the batters, as Thomas Burhop top-scored with 41, seven fours included. 

Mark Joyce (pictured) of the Upottery captain said, “It was a good toss to win on a hot day, I asked the batters to be positive with a road to bat on and they did just that.”

“We then bowled and fielded really well as a team, and carried on our run.”

Upottery 2nd XI currently sit second in the F Division East on 58 points. Clyst St George 2nd XI, the side above them, are on maximum points from their opening three games