EXMOUTH’S lead at the top of the A Division remains a healthy 20 points despite a five-wicket defeat in the derby clash with Budleigh Salterton.
Chathura Peiris turned in a five-wicket haul for Budleigh as Exmouth were skittled out for just 82 in the 21st over.
Jack England (4-26) already had Exmouth wobbling at 55 for six and when Peiris returned for a second spell he took a wicket with his second ball prior to cleaning out the lower order.
Peiris took four wickets without conceding a run as Exmouth lost their last four batters between 71 for seven and 82 all out. Peiris finished with match figures of five for 23.
Run scorers for Exmouth were Jason Niemand (24), Cameron Kidd (18) and Matt Kimber, who made 21 against his former club.
Exmouth did their best to make the chase difficult for Budleigh and when George Greenway removed Marc Troman in the first over they had something to celebrate. But not for long
Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings (16) and Max Mejzner (17) were the supporting acts to Peiris, who finished on 37 not out after hitting Greenway for four to win the game in the 17th over.
George Greenway had bowling figures of three for 38 and brother Lawrence, the Exmouth captain, took two for 20.
Skipper Greenway said it was a bad day to be batting first, but that was not the reason for Exmouth’s downfall.
“We would have bowled too, however the wicket didn't play as badly as it looked it would,” said the Exmouth skipper.
“Budleigh just bowled straight and we kept losing wickets consistently, trying to play too aggressively instead of applying ourselves and batting time.
“Had we got 30 or 40 more it would have been very interesting….
“Defending 80 was always going to be extremely difficult and Peiris played very sensibly and guided them home.
“Credit to Budleigh they deserved the win, far the better side.”
Results elsewhere were kind to Exmouth (147pts) as chasers Torquay (124) and Exeter (120) both lost, although Budleigh (127) and Plympton (124) both gained ground.
