SANDFORD kick-started their attempt to retain the Tolchards DCL title they won last year with a comfortable six-wicket win over Exmouth.

Exmouth were bowled out for 125 with 13 of their 50 overs unused, which will have disappointed skipper Fin Marks after the running total had been 65 for two.

Once Josh Austin (21) and Dan Pyle (24) were out of the way – they were among the casualties as Exmouth lost six wickets for 28 runs – the middle order caved in.

Byron Knowles, the former Sidmouth player back in Devon League action after a year away, did most of the damage with a five-for-32 haul. Aryan Lakra (2-32) chipped in.

Sandford had a minor wobble on the chase in the 40s when Adam Small then Harrison Jones went one after the other to George Greenway (2-23).

Lawrence Greenway, in at first wicket down, batted through for an unbeaten 37 that took Sandford home. Lakra (31) and Jack Ford both fell to Lawrence Greenway (2-23), but too late to affect the result.

“Lawrence showed great composure and discipline and played the situation perfectly and got us home yet again,” said Jackson Thompson, the Sandford captain.

Comfortable it may have been – Sandford had more than 20 overs to spare – but skipper Jackson Thompson wasn’t totally satisfied.

“It was a good, clinical performance by us but, being hyper critical, I felt we should have knocked the runs down for the loss of two wickets maximum,” said Thompson.

Thompson said it was a good toss to win as Sandford had best use of the batting conditions in the second innings. He added that the hard work was done in the first innings by ‘relentless’ bowling from the attack.

“Our bowlers were relentlessly hitting their straps,” said Thompson.

“Jamie Palmer set the tone beautifully, bowling his tight seamers, and Raphy Weatherall was spicey on that deck. He got James Horler with an absolutely snorter off the length.”

A special pat on the back went to debutant Byron Knowles for his five-wicket haul.

“Byron was relentless with his accuracy and movement and beat both edges,” said Thompson.

“It was a very impressive spell of bowling and he extracted everything he could from the deck.”

For Marks, the Exmouth captain, this Saturday’s game away to Paignton cannot come soon enough.

 “Losing the toss, and batting on a wet one against a very good seam attack, probably didn't help,” said Marks.

“Conditions helped them, but Sandford bowled very well. 

“To be 60 for two then 120 all out is very frustrating, but we were beaten by a better side on the day. 

“Lawrence (Walker) batted very well and controlled the chase for them.

“Looking forward to Paignton next to put it right.”