NORTH Devon’s challenging start to life back in the Premier Division of the Tolchards DCL continued with a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Exmouth.

Skipper Jack Moore top scored for the newly-promoted Instow outfit with a patient 58 in their all-out total of 191.

Exmouth knocked off the runs with more than 13 overs to spare – and were never seriously troubled along the way.

Moore had no trouble identifying where it went wrong for his side.

“We were 50 under par with the bat, especially against a good batting side like Exmouth,” said Moore.

Two games into the new season, Exmouth are joint top of the table with Bradninch & Kentisbeare and Paignton. North Devon are one off the bottom.

“Two from two is a nice start to the season,” said Exmouth captain Fin Marks.

The bulk of North Devon’s runs were scored by Moore – he batted for 138 minutes – Roshan Lakmal (29) and keeper-batter Joe Farndale (24).

Newcomer Farndale was seventh out on 170, the first of four wickets to fall for 21 runs scored.

Aussie Lachlan Fisher (3-46) was Exmouth’s leading wicket-taking bowler. Pete Turnbull (2-22) and Ben Higton (2-19) gave little away.

An opening stand of 51 between Louis Morison (41) and James Horler (47) pointed Exmouth in the right direction. Despite the odd interruption from Lakmal (2-33), the chase continued untramelled with Marks (22no) and Dan Pyle (21) both chipping in.

Skipper Marks said his team were in the driving seat from start to finish.”

“I thought we controlled the whole game and at no point did I think we were put under pressure,” said Marks.