Exmouth chase to win close-run affair with Sandford | Horler (pictured) holds it together | 'James showed his class to get us within 25' – Fin Marks

EXMOUTH eased-up from fourth to third in the Tolchards DCL Premier table after digging out a two-wicket win over lowly Sandford.

Sandford skipper Jackson Thompson, in his new role opening the batting, made 39 in a progressive total of 74 for four.

Aryan Lakra, already in by then, dug in for 68 off 83 balls that took Sandford close to their final tally of 224 all out. Somerset’s James Theedom (34) put on 59 with Lakra.

“Aryan batted beautifully again,” said Thompson.

“We took wickets at crucial points in the game and to bowl them out for 224 was a great effort,” countered Exmouth skipper Fin Marks.

Exmouth opener Louis Morison did what he does best – 33 off 15 balls with six fours and a six – to get the pursuit up and running.

James Horler, the Devon captain, did what he does best too: 83 off 111 balls in the anchorman role. Lakra (4-41), Thompson (1-42) and Maidment (2-44) made Exmouth work for their runs.

“Lou gave us a good start, but Lakra then bowled a real tough 10 overs,” said Marks.

“Aryan again bowled really well along with Tom Maidment,” said Thompson. “Our efforts with the ball was good to see.

“We did extremely well in the field – and with the ball – to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, a couple of dropped catches did not help.”

Cam Kidd chipped in 21 and Ed Butler added a patient 34 as the target came down. By the time Tom Maidment (2-44) removed Horler the target was 25 to win with Butler well and truly ‘in’.

“Horler showed his class to get us within 25,” said Marks. “Lawrence and Matt batted well to get us over the line with a lot of pressure on them at the end.”

“Horler batted sensibly and responsibly for them, until he gave us a sniff,” said Thompson.

Thompson won’t be pressing alarm bells just yet despite a third successive Premier Division defeat that leaves the team in the bottom two.

Thompson had a clear idea what went wrong against Exmouth and is confident it won’t be long before the team climbs the table.

“Leaving seven or eight overs out there when we batted was absolutely criminal,” said Thompson.

“Early wickets then not batting our overs have not been helping our cause

“There is no panic as we have all the quality to get back up and start competing well again.”