Paignton oust Exmouth from Premier leadership | 'It was brilliant to see everyone chip in with the bat' – Paignton skipper Harry Ward

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE AT QUEEN'S PARK

PAIGNTON are the new leaders of the Tolchards DCL Premier Division, but not by a lot, after defeating previously unbeaten frontrunners Exmouth by 103 runs.

Exmouth were skittled for 130 all out chasing a target of 234 to win in the first-against-second clash at Queen’s Park.

Paignton (137pts) are the new leaders but with no room for errors as Exmouth are only two points behind.

Exmouth coughed up 51 runs in wides – more than any batsman made on his own – towards Paignton’s total of 233 all out.

Harry Ward made a studious 24 at first wicket down, Luke Medlock made 40 and Charlie Ward added 41 batting at seven. Rory Medlock weighed in with 22 in the dying overs.

Exmouth’s main wicket takers with three each were Pete Turnbull (3-40), Dan Pyle (3-38) and Elijah Pyne (3-29). 

Louis Morison (6) was the only one of Exmouth’s top five batters to fail, but in a running total of 106 for four the best they could muster was Ed Butler’s 31 and Cam Kidd’s 22. Charlie Ward (2-35) and Connor Ashworth (2-21) made life hard for them.

Once Rory Medlock got into the bottom half of the order it was downhill all the way to 130 all out. Former skipper Lawrence Greenway was the last man standing on 23 not out.

Winning skipper Harry Ward said: “It was a great win against a very good side. It was brilliant to see everyone chip in with the bat, and Luke and Charlie’s 40s turned out to be vital in helping us reach 233.

“Exmouth came at us hard, but we managed to weather it well. Rory was class with the ball once again and was very well supported by Connor at the other end.

“Our fielding was impeccable throughout, which made a huge difference.”

Opposite number James Horler said: “It’s a performance we’re not going to get hung up about, but we were comfortably second best on the day.

“Extras being the top scorer, and leaving 25 overs left to bat, were two aspects that were not good enough from a side trying to win the title.“Always positives to take forward and we will be looking to bounce back straight away against Cornwood this Saturday.”