Bowlers 'brilliant' and run chase 'straightforward' says Paignton skipper Ward (pictured) after win over Exeter

PAIGNTON kept the pressure on leaders Bradninch & Kentisbeare at the top of the Premier Division table with a five-wicket win over Exeter at Queen’s Park.

The only thing separating the two teams is the bowling bonus point Paignton dropped in a win over Exmouth in round three.

Paignton’s Aya Gqamana (4-22) got into Exeter’s batting early on and they had to settle for a modest total of 160 all out.

There was barely a wobble on the chase as Paignton went on to win with more than 11 overs to go.

Skipper Clint McCabe took on the task of rescuing Exeter from an early battering that reduced them to 38 for four then 56 for seven. Gqamana and Rory Medlock (3-26) did most of the damage. Charlie Ward kept it tight.

A stand of 81 for the seventh wicket with former skipper Robin Fern (39) gave the scoreline some respectability.

Paignton’s in-form opener Luke Medlock led the run chase with 59 in even time that got the pursuit up to 97 for three.

Gqamana (25) and Ollie Woodcock (27no) took Paignton within sight of the tape.

McCabe (2-49) was the sole Exeter bowler with more than one wicket. Sam Read and Tom Simmons both operated comfortably below three runs an over.

Harry Ward, the Paignton captain, felt the bowling performance was instrumental in the outcome.

“We started brilliantly with the ball — Aya and Charlie were excellent – and Rory was exceptional once again, especially bowling into the wind with a short straight boundary,” said Ward.

“McCabe batted very well for Exeter, but we kept things under control.

“The chase was pretty straightforward. Luke and Noah Wright (19) set the tone once again at the top, and everyone chipped in nicely to see it through.”

McCabe accepted that Exeter encountered a quality bowler in Paignton’s Aya Gqamana, but that was only part of the story.

Pondering on how Exeter were bowled out for 160, McCabe said: “We lacked maturity in shot selection and our ability to build an innings.”

McCabe added: “Aya was difficult to keep out and showed his class.”

And he had some words of mitigation for the side when he said: “We're a young and talented team that are learning as we go.”