Axminster dispatch Upottery 2nd XI | Four wickets for Beviss | Enticott and Batey (pictured) see side home

Mark Batey – in at the end for Axminster

By OLLIE SMITH

AXMINSTER Town made it three wins from their last three completed games after they comfortably saw off Upottery 2nd XI in a ten-wicket drubbing.

Despite winning the toss, Upottery were soon in trouble, they were three wickets down before reaching 10 runs. Mike Summer (two for 18) accounted for two of the top three.

A defiant 18 from 67 from Peter-John Kaal prolonged the inevitable. He was one of three players to reach double figures alongside Adam Retter (10) and Shane Kennard (11). 

When Kaal was ninth out on 53, he was the fourth victim of Sam Beviss (four for 15), chances of a second batting point were non-existent. Only two more runs were added as Upottery were dismissed for 55 from 27.1 overs.

Axminster captain Owen Enticott (36no) and Mark Batey (16no) weren’t in a hurry to finish, valuing wickets intact over speed of chase. The Upottery bowlers toiled until the 17th over as Enticott hit the winning runs.

Kaal gained more credibility for his performance; he was allowed five overs, in which he only conceded eight runs.

One half of the unbroken partnership, and Axminster captain, Owen Enticott, was confident in his side’s abilities with the ball.

“We knew with early wickets we could put pressure on, and our bowlers adapted to the conditions well and bowled a tight line and length, which was successful. Sam Beviss was our best bowler with four wickets.”

“Despite only chasing 55, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we just had to bide our time and put away the bad balls.” 

“Our two openers had a few lifelines but, in the end, capitalised on the fielders’ mistakes and chased it down easily.”

“We did have a slow start, but now we have found our feet and are playing at our best, which we have been missing for a while. We have built a strong rapport within the team, which will only grow and will help us with the rest of the season.”

“As a captain, I am proud to have this team and am pleased with how far we have come.”