Mitch Pugh – both sides agreed he was the match winner<br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe - no re-use without copyright owner's consent

BRADNINCH & Kentisbeare reminded Paignton there is a pecking order in the Premier Division by inflicting a 17-run defeat on them.

Paignton finished second behind Bradninch & Kentisbeare last season, and have made it plain they want the crown themselves this time.

Bowling out the defending champions for 184 was a statement of intent from the challengers, but the champions reasserted their position by returning the complement. Three wickets for Ankit Badwal, and two each for Jon Triner and Gary Chappell had Paignton 172 for nine when time ran out.

Chappell, the title-winning captain, said it was ‘A big win in difficult circumstances’.

Chappell added: “It wasn’t easy being put into bat on a day like that with plenty of juice in the wicket, but we got a score and then bowled and fielded well to make life hard for the Paignton batters. Aya Gqamana

Harry Ward, the Paignton captain, said: “Bradninch played really well, and when you come up against a side as strong as them, the margin for error is much smaller.

“One dropped catch that ended up costing around 20 runs proved costly in the end and was probably the difference between the two sides.”

Mitch Pugh held it all together for Bradninch & Kentisbeare with a 100-ball knock worth 71. He went in after Chappell (22) departed to Charlie Ward (2-33) and was involved in stands that added 131.

“Mitch Pugh's innings was the difference on a bowler-friendly day,” said Chappell.

Ward agreed, saying: “Mitch batted brilliantly for them. “Credit to Bradninch they were the better side on the day and deserved the win.”

Paignton bowlers Steve George (2-19) and Aya Gqamana (3-42) made life difficult for Pugh and Co.

“We bowled and fielded very well as a whole, was good to see Charlie and Aya bowling with good pace,” said captain Ward.

Runs from Gqamana (27) and Brenton Pedley (25) took Paignton towards 91 for three. Losing three wickets for 22 runs slowed the chase at the wrong time.

Ollie Woodcock (33) kept Paignton in the frame, but when he was eighth out to Badwal the last 30 runs was beyond the tail enders.

“We batted well on a tricky wicket, but after getting ourselves in, we just needed one person to go on and make a big score,” said Ward.