KILMINGTON 2nd XI welcomed top of the table Exeter 3rd XI and their 100% winning record on Saturday.

Stand in home skipper, Ralph Cook, won the toss and chose to bat on a pitch that looked like the outfield would be pretty quick for the first time this season.

Kilmington’s innings got off to a very shaky start when Kiran Srikantaprasad (0) fell in the first over of the game but what followed was a sensational second-wicket stand of 201 between Dave Cook (67), who made his third 50 of the season, and Harry Johnston (123) who, in his first game for a year, pummeled the bowling to all parts of the ground for 16 fours and two sixes. 

When this stand was finally broken at 202, wickets fell at a steady rate, but there was still time for some enormous sixes from Alex Rockett (34) and Matt Reed snr (23), plus some nicely timed shots from Hal Cook (21no) and Zak Szilagyi (19).

Pick of the bowling for Exeter was off-spinner Sangeeth Sohan (3-52), Richard Goldsworthy (2-80), and perhaps most impressively, Brazilian international, Laura Cardoza (1-40) (see Exeter CC social posts regarding her being the first Brazilian international to play in the Devon league).

Kilmington 2nds were very happy with their 322-8 off their allotted overs.

Exeter lost Wali Muhammad (0) first ball to Mike Summers (2-38), although Summers’ tennis elbow meant he wasn’t at his economic best. 

From 58-3, Exeter’s best batting came from Sean Langford (59) and Cardoza (31) to take them to 107-3.  Some aggressive hitting from Goldsworthy (28) kept them going, albeit well behind the required rate.  At that point off spinner Reed (5-18), followed his extraordinary catch earlier in the innings, and came to the fore and made very short work of the tail.  Exeter finished on 187, losing by 135 runs.

A big win for Kilmington, who rise to second place in the F Division East, Exeter stay top by 12 points despite the loss.