Reed clatters ton for Kilmington in opening day victory over Uplyme & Lyme Regis

Kilmington

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

KILMINGTON’S Ollie Reed slammed the first century of the ‘new’ season in Devon in his side’s 67-run win over visiting Uplyme & Lyme Regis.

Reed hammered an unbeaten 103 in Kilmington’s total of 231 all out. Tom Gooding (47) and Tom Olive (23) were the supporting acts. 

There were three wickets each for Tyler Wellman (3-53) and Steve Batey (3-43) and two for Joe Elsworth (2-35), the former Axminster player.

Uplyme & Lyme Regis were bowled out for 180 with Josh Short (3-16) and Matt Reed (2-17) leading the way with the ball for Kilmington. Man of the match Reed also had the distinction of taking Kilmington’s first wicket of the season.

Wellman (50) and Elsworth (49) got Uplyme’s run chase going, but the next best score was 20 as the pursuit tailed off.

Brett Garner, the Kilmington captain, said there were no issues playing the game in line with the Covid-19 regulations.

"We had a bottle of hand sanitiser behind the stumps and made sure that we stopped after six overs, or 20 minutes, for everyone to hand sanitise. It didn’t take up too much time and all ran very smoothly," he said.

Something else Garner assessed after the game was the qualities of the newly re-laid square at the Arthur Hitchcock Memorial Playing Fields.

“It was a bit lower and indeed, slower, than the old one, but given the lack of rolling it has had so far that’s not a great surprise," said Garner. 

“It played well and there were certainly no signs of any gremlins in the surface.”

Uplyme & Lyme Regis captain Steve Batey was happy with the run-out despite the result.

“We were half strength so it was good to get a half-decent score,” said Batey.

“Everyone got a bowl and a bat, which was the main purpose. 

“We have some new signings so playing Seaton next will be a good test before the mini leagues start.”

Before then Uplyme have a Wednesday night T20 game against Crewkerne. Kilmington’s next match is at home to Upottery this Saturday (1pm). 

Additional reporting by Steve Birley