East undefeated from start to finish as Topsham are first winners of Tidball Insurance Services Cup

Topsham St James captain Edd Kirby surrounded by the cup winning team

BOBBY East hit a purple patch as Topsham St James swept aside Honiton 2ndXI then Uplyme & Lyme Regis to win the inaugural Tidball Insurance Services Cup.

East larruped a brisk half-century in the quarter-final win over Sidbury that took Topsham to finals day at Shaldon.

And he was at it again smashing 77 not out off 42 balls – 10 fours, five sixes – in St James’ 10-wicket win over Honiton in the semi-final.

Honiton laboured to 98 all out in the last of their 20 overs – Mark Phillips (4-15) and Brian Jeary (3-15) pinning them down – then East and Matt Williams (21no) knocked off the runs without mishap.

Uplyme dispatched Ivybridge 2ndXI by 100 runs in the other semi-final.

Opener East was at it again in the final, slamming 60 not out as TSJ raced along to 157 for seven in a game initially reduced to 18 overs each due to bad weather.

East and Phillips put on 75 for the third wicket, pushing the score up to 130.

Topsham scored at nearly nine an over, which became significant when Uplyme’s innings was halted due to torrential rain in the 13thover at 96 for six.

Despite a 51-run opening stand between Tyler Wellman (30) and Steve Batey (24), Uplyme were a long way behind the required run rate when rain stopped play, which gave Topsham the cup.

Scores

Uplyme & Lyme Regis 169-7 (S Batey 30, M Batey 31, J Whittington 27; T Bendall 3-28), Ivybridge 2ndXI 69-9 (S Kidd 28; J Maltby 4-9, S Batey 2-7). Uplyme bt Ivybridge by 100 runs.

Honiton 2ndXI 98 (M Phillips 4-15, B Jeary 3-15), Topsham St James 103-0 (B East 77no, M Williams 21no). Topsham bt Honiton by 10 wkts.

Topsham St James 157-7 (B East 60no, M Phillips 43), Uplyme & Lyme Regis 96-6 (T Wellman 30, S Batey 24; E Kirby 3-11). Rain stopped play. Topsham bt Uplyme on run rate.