Newton Poppleford were handsome nine wicket winners when they entertained South Devon-based Marldon.

On a sun-kissed afternoon, Newton Poppleford skipper Clay lost the toss and this left the visitors batting first.

House and Hunter opened the bowling, keeping things nice and tight, not bowing many loose balls.

It was House who struck first, ending the number two batsman time at the wicket with a delivery that found its way between bat and pad and onto the stumps.

Hunter was the better of the two bowlers, consistently bowling a good straight line and forcing the batsmen to play. His figures of 0-23 from six did not do justice to a terrific spell.

It was young Luke Raistrick who was to become the star for the home side as he delivered a sometimes ‘unplayable’ spinning ball.

He claimed four wickets and was unlucky not to end with a fivefer to his name.

In this fixture last season there had been a stunning catch held by Thomas Moore and this time round it was his elder brother Alex who held a ‘cracker’ to help spinner Raistrick claim his third wicket and the youngster finished with splendid figures of 4-29 from eight overs.

The other bowler to enjoy a fine afternoon was Chatwood who consistently put the ball into all the right areas, finishing with wonderful figures of 1-15 from seven overs, three of which were maidens.

It was left to Adey Snr and Adey Jnr to mop up the tail and they did so very convincingly. Adey Snr finished with 1-16 from four overs and his son returned figures of 1-18 from 4.3.

Marldon were bowled out for 103 and home openers Thomas and Anning made light of any troubling conditions as they both struck the ball confidently and positively.

When Anning fell for a well made 31 the score stood at 60 and the win looked assured. Alex Raistrick joined Thomas and the pair saw the side to victory with Thomas sealing the win with a six over midwicket.

Thomas finished unbeaten on 41 and Raistrick was not out 27 as an impressive nine wicket win was claimed.