EXMOUTH continued their winning run at the top of the Tolchards DCL Premier Division by imposing a 104-run defeat on Sandford.

Devon captain James Horler plundered 152 as Exmouth bolted along to 329 for six in 50 overs. It was his first DCL ton since taking 129 off Paignton in 2023.

Ben Chaloner, who has stepped-up from D West cricket with Kenn last season, top scored on 93 for Sandford, who were all-out for 225 with four overs to go.

Exmouth remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier Division, where they have a five-point advantage over second-placed Exeter. Sandford have dropped down to sixth.

Sandford struck early to remove dangerman Louis Morison for three, but that did them no favours as Horler and Cam Kidd (72) embarked on a second-wicket stand of 119.

Another stand of 91 followed between Horler and Dan Pyle (37), which was broken on 214 when Sandford’s Bangladeshi new boy Tanbir Khan bowled the latter.

Horler went on and on until he was last man out to Ryan Glass in the penultimate over. He faced 163 balls and hit five sixes and 15 fours.

Matt Jeacock (2-57) was the solitary Sandford bowler to take more than one wicket. Jamie Palmer and Glass managed to cost less than five an over. No one else did.

Sandford’s run chase was over as a viable prospect by the time they reached 64 for six with Khan just out for 19. Noah Musikanth (3-50) and Pete Turnbull (2-42) were largely responsible.

Chaloner and Glass restored some self-esteem to the side by adding 75 for the seventh wicket. Lawrence Greenway (2-47) broke them up.

Chaloner soldiered on until the total reached 225 for nine when Greenway dismissed him with a return catch.

Last man Jamie Palmer only faced one ball before the injury that stopped him bowling returned and he retired.

Horler, still leading Exmouth as locum for Fin Marks, said other than lacking a killer instinct at times it was a thoroughly workmanlike performance.

“A good bowling performance up top from Noah and Pete, pretty much closed out the game at that point when Sandford were 64 for six,” said Horler.

“To be fair to Sandford, we took our foot off the pedal and they kept us out there to pick up some batting points.

“But we always had runs on our side and eventually closed it out.”

Adam Small, the Sandford skipper and son of former Exmouth captain Adrian Small, was determinedly upbeat despite the result.

“Was always going to be a tough fixture against a strong opposition but lots of positives we can take from the day,” said Small.

“I thought we did well to keep them to 330 on a really good pitch when, at one stage, they were looking at getting significantly more than that. Credit to their batters who batted nicely.

“Tanbir looks a great addition with both bat and ball, and Glassy once again the standout with the ball. 

“Ben Chaloner was the stand out with the bat for us. He was unfortunate not to get to three figures, but showed great fight along with a couple of useful knocks from Glassy and Jeacock.”