HOLDERS Paignton cleared the first hurdle in this season’s Brockman Cup when they beat Lustleigh by six wickets.
The margin looks comfortable enough, but Paignton only got past the post with three balls of the final over to spare.
Jon Wright top scored for Lustleigh with 30 in their total of 114 all out in the last of their 20 overs.
Cole Harford’s three for 16 kept Lustleigh’s top-end batters quiet then spinners Charlie Ward (2-12) and Paul Harding (2-8) slowed the middle order, apart from Matt Pearce (25).
Chris Smith was an early casualty when Paignton batted, but Sam Woodcock (42no) and Luke Medlock (32) made steady progress towards the target.
Duncan Manners-Chapman (1-10) and Ed Griffin (0-19) bowled miserly four-over spells.
The winning runs were scored midway through the final over, which was bowled Jake Griffiths.
Paignton will be away to Babbacombe in the second round on May 29.The Walls Hill side were waved through the first round by Dartington & Totnes, who were unable to raise a team.
