Upottery’s long unbeaten record at Glebe Park was ended – and quite convincingly – as Chardstock beat them by eight wickets in a D Division East fixture.

After winning the toss, Chardstock skipper Rob Hutchings opted to put the hosts in and he took the new ball, but, six overs in, he rang the changes, had spin on at both ends, and the home side never really got going with the bat!

Only Matt Broom (48), Jack Larcombe (36) and James Mitcham (34) made any real progress as Hutchings, in three spells, returned superb figures of five wickets for just 11 runs. Gary Larcombe snared himself three wickets and there was also one for Alex Watson as Upottery were bowled out for 174.

The Chardstock run chase was led by skipper Hutchings, who hit an unbeaten 80 while Steve Allsopp chipped in with 60 as Chardstock eased home losing just two wickets.

A delighted Chardstock skipper Rob Hutchings said: “I was very pleased with our approach with the ball and always felt that, if we batted to our strengths, having got them knocked over for 174, we’d win in some comfort, and so it proved.”

He continued: “It helped that we know them [Upottery] well, for we were able to mix up our bowling and target certain batsmen. The plan worked and we have shown with this performance that, as long as we continue to get good availability, we can be a match for anyone at this level.”

Upottery skipper Mark Joyce was understandably disappointed that his team’s long unbeaten record at Glebe Park had been ended. He said: “We have only ourselves to blame as we did not bat to anything like our potential. That said, sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition and I must say that the way Rob [Chardstock skipper Rob Hutchings] bowled was as good as I have seen him bowl for a long time.”

He continued: “I knew 174 was 80 light and they breezed home to deservedly win the game. As for the end of the unbeaten run, it was a long one and the key for us now is to get straight back on the horse and return to winning ways and see if we cannot go on a similar run at home from the next game onwards.”

On Saturday (June 16), Upottery, who dropped to fifth with the defeat, travel to Clyst St George while Chardstock, who climbed into a top three berth with the win at Upottery, entertain basement side Uplyme and Lyme Regis.