Isaac Thomas scored a splendid century and he and Tom Clay set a new record second wicket partnership as Newton Poppleford defeated Exeter-based Erratics by a margin of 62 runs in a 40-overs-per-side Sunday fixture.

With the wicket looking green and being slightly damp, bowling would have seemed the option of choice for a skipper, but not so with Newton Poppleford’s Kenny Clay, for he decided he’d like to get his batsmen out into the action.

Isaac Thomas and Antony Cox launched the home innings, but the former’s indifferent early-season form continued as he played on, to depart with just seven runs on the score board.

Tom Clay joined Isaac at the crease and the pair continued where they had left off batting together a fortnight before, taking the attack to the bowlers from delivery one! Both players eased past their half centuries before the drinks break and Thomas passed his century mark before eventually being dismissed to the 94th ball he received, but not before he had scored 113 with 11 fours and four sixes.

The club has a new record partnership for the second wicket with Thomas and Clay having put on 193.

Sadly Clay was unable to go on and seal his own ton when he fell to a catch having scored 89 from just 77 deliveries.

Matthew Raistrick would finish as the third highest run scorer with 23. Richard Coombs and Chris Anning also looked good at the crease despite both being out for seven.

One of the highlights for the Erratics was a fantastic one-handed catch at mid-off to remove Leigh Adey (6). It was met with applause and admiration by the Newton Pop team. Perhaps the strangest part of the innings came late on when Andrew Marsh came out to bat at number 10, rather than his usual number 11. In spite of this drastic change in proceedings, Marsh took on his new role with gusto, and finished unbeaten on nought as Newton Poppleford closed on an imposing 270-8 from their 40 overs.

Andrew Marsh and Chris Davis were given new ball duties post tea, but the latter struggled with his lines throughout his spell and conceded many wides. He did pick up the first wicket with thanks to a sharp slip catch from Matt Raistrick.

This wicket extended Chris’s lead as the highest wicket taker of the season, but there were to be no further wickets for him as his eight overs ended with his figures being 1-49.

Andrew Marsh, meanwhile, kept things more economical and was rewarded with a wicket with help from another great one-handed catch, this time held by Antony Cox, who in recent weeks has been putting on a bit of a fielding master class.

First change bowler Jordan Fowler found success in his second over with a plumb leg before decision and, in his seven over spell, the young spinner only went for 20 runs.

Erratics batsmen Ferro and Chave enjoyed a good partnership and both managed to reach their half centuries, but, with the home bowling of a good line and length, a successful run chase was never going to happen.

Leigh Adey (0-32), Antony Cox (0-25) and Chris Anning (0-19) all bowled very well, particularly at a time when the visiting batsmen were clearly looking to increase the run rate as the Erratics reply ended on 208-4.