By OLLIE SMITH
LAST year’s Devon T20 champions Exmouth got their campaign underway with a win against Torquay & Kingskerswell.
T&K, under a previous guise, won the competition in 2017 led by Justin Yau. The title of short-form kings has now been passed on to Exmouth, who reached the national last four in 2025, losing out to Essex’s Wanstead & Snaresbrook.
Exmouth asked their visitors to bat first, but were quickly put under pressure by an opening stand of 77 between Ed Smout-Cooper (30) and Josh Thompson (42). Lawrence Greenway accounted for their wickets and went one better too, claiming the scalp of former New Zealand under-19 international Ben Pomare for just 12.
James Tyler struggled to build any form of momentum, but Jimmy Clifford, a winter recruit from Birmingham League Harborne, was intent on posting a defendable total.
Clifford hit eight fours and one six in his 52 before Fin Marks bowled him. Dan Western was keen on having some fun at the end of the innings; he hit three sixes and three fours in his quick 39no, taking just 21 balls to get there and giving T&K a total of 191 to defend.
Kazi Szymanski claimed the early wicket of Louis Morrison (4). Ritesh Dabhade dismissed Noah Musikanth (24) and Ed Butler (26) to give T&K a chance; however, Devon’s three-day captain, James Horler, managed to rebuild, putting on 60 runs with Jack Dart (20).
Fin Marks (12) fell the same way as Dart, caught off the bowling of Bobby Western, however Horler remained, bringing up his 50 from 36 balls.
It was Horler and Pete Turnbull (17no) who saw the Maer side home to a five wicket victory, the Exmouth keeper captain finished on 65no from 43 balls. Exmouth were aided by the number of extras bowled by their A Division opponent; they were gifted 24 runs, more than three times as many as they bowled to T&K.
Match winner Horler was aware of the threat the opposition posed, but also of the home comforts his side enjoyed, “Torquay got off to a bit of a flyer and posted quite a strong total. Exmouth can be a tough ground to defend when the outfield is fast.”
“During the chase, we spoke about taking the game deep, and it was a pleasing chase to get over the line. There were some important cameos with both bat and ball.”
“Always good to get that first [T20] win under your belt in a cup run. We’re looking to go one place better than last year!”
Tavistock enhanced their reputation of being big hitters as they posted 220 against Cornwood. 
Both openers reached 50, James White’s (51 from 24) innings was the more destructive knock. Elliot Hamilton also caused the Cornwood bowlers distress as he posted 58. Ahmad Hassan scored a useful 39, and Rhys Davies (27no) and Charlie Barriball (18no) would have wanted to cause more damage had there been more overs.
Tavi took wickets at regular intervals and had Chris Parker (53) not score some useful lower-order runs, the score could have been more embarrassing. Tom Clarke (three for 20) and Rhys Davies (three for 16) were the main wicket takers.
Ivybridge caused an upset when they beat Premier champions Bradninch & Kentisbeare at Kensham Park, as Mickey Copeland starred in all three facets of the game.
Abraham Kopparambil (53) top scored for the side that two years ago were in the C Division, at the same time their opponents were on their way to winning the Premier Division. He was supported by South African Copeland (35), who was standing in as captain on the day.
Mitch Pugh and Muhammad Ismail took three and two wickets respectively, both going for 14 runs each, as the Bridge were restricted to 133/7.
Copeland then turned the game on its head, his off spin accounted for the wickets of Gary Chappell, Tim Piper, and Pugh, as his first two overs left him with figures of two for one. He then took a catch to remove Jon Triner (12), who had been attempting to build a response.
Lewis Clarke (two for 19) and Dinesh Raheja (one for 17) squeezed B&K more, and two run outs meant the hosts fell nine runs short. Josh Farley top-scored in the chase; he scored 29.
Exeter comfortably chased 132 against Bridestowe & Belstone to set up a quarter-final clash with Ivybridge.
Leon Horn and Tallan Burns both scored 29 for B&B, Exeter’s Cam Fraser was chief tormenter as his four overs saw him conceded just seven runs, he also claimed two wickets as the visitors posted 131/8.
Oli Gribble (39) was the only Exeter batter to be removed, he was caught off the bowling of Spencer Whatley, who plays his Saturday cricket across the Tamar with Callington.
Seb Linnitt, moved up the order to open, top scored with 65no, he and Josh Paget (24no) saw the city side home to a comfortable nine wicket win.
Cullompton took their chase of Bovey Tracey’s 119 to the last two overs. Jason Parr was Cully’s best bowler, he took three for 19. There were also two wickets for Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (two for 19).
The two standout bowlers became the two opening batters, as Cully tried to put Bovey under pressure early. Parr (22) and Kamunhukamwe (29) put on 42 together before they were both removed by Ollie Clifford Bourne (two for 22).
Dan King (22no) stuck around and made sure the Cullompton chase was anchored, he lost three partners before the runs were knocked off five wickets down.
Elsewhere there was a win for Sandford over Hatherleigh (48 runs). Heathcoat and Paignton also progress due to forfeitures from their opposition.
