Alleyne slams ton as Paignton beat Exmouth to keep leaders in their sights

Anthony Alleyne - hit a century for Paignton against Exmouth

PAIGNTON maintained their pursuit of Heathcoat in the two-horse race for the Premier title with a 29-run win over Exmouth.

Exmouth had won three of their previous four games going into the meeting at Queen’s Park, which had all the hallmarks of a close-run affair before a ball was bowled.

When Exmouth were 192 for four chasing 240 to win with Finlay Marks on 63 not out and nine overs to go, an away win seemed the most likely result.

George Benton - 'Batters will always say they are never out'Then Anthony Alleyne ran out Marks and Exmouth fell apart. In the time it took to bowl 4.2 overs Exmouth lost six wickets for 28 runs.

Alleyne was the man of the match for Paignton as he made 121 opening up and was involved in stands worth 256 before he was sixth out – one of three scalps for George Greenway (4-49).

Archie Farkins (27) shared a 71-run stand with Alleyne and Orchard stayed with him during a partnership of 74.

Greenway was the only Exmouth bowler to take more than one wicket. Alex Craib (0-34) and David Lye (1-28) were hard to score off.

Alvin Pollard (28) and Ben Ellis (51) got the Exmouth reply motoring, then Lye (24) upped the tempo with anchorman Marks before it all went wrong.

Marks was one of three Exmouth batsmen run-out in the dash for runs. George Benton, Steve George and Cole Harford all took two wickets each for Paignton.

Winning captain Benton said Exmouth may have crumbled at the end, but for most of the game it was a contest.

“It was a hard fought win as Exmouth played very well,” said Benton.

“It was a good toss to win and I thought we were 30-40 runs short.

“Anthony Alleye batted extremely well and Archie Farkins, making his first-team debut at 15, looked comfortable.

“We showed patience and skill to bring he game back into our hands and bowl Exmouth out.”

On the 17-point gap between Paignton and leaders Heathcoat, Benton said: “All the pressure is still on them not to slip-up.”

Exmouth skipper Andrew Buzza had a totally different take on the game, and claimed a disputed lbw call was decisive. 

“It was a game we lost not a game Paignton won,” said Buzza.

“A big decision (Lye, lbw) went against us and it changed the outlook of the game altogether. 

“The pitch wasn't easy and we didn't put the ball in the right areas enough earlier in the day. 

“Alleyne batted beautifully, yet I felt we had good control over the innings.

“We had partnerships throughout the chase. Ellis and Marks were the clear stand-outs. Marks with his first 50 in the Premier Division was outstanding.

“We lacked a little experience down the order, yet walking away from the game the young lads have learnt a lot. 

“Paignton fought hard in the back end of the game. They know it could of easily gone either way.”

Benton was the bowler who got a favourable lbw shout against Lye. He said: “Batters will always say they are never out and bowlers will always say it is out.

“I did not see much wrong with it.”