Hill celebrates century as Abbots see off Braunton

CHARLIE Hill hit an unbeaten century for Abbotskerswell in their four-wicket win over previously unbeaten Braunton on the Two-Mile Oak ground.

- by CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

It was Abbotskerswell's first league win of the season and moved them off the bottom of the table.

Theo Valeri (76) and tail-ender James Lake (21) dug Braunton out of trouble at 48 for eight with a stand worth 61 towards a final total of 218 all out.

Abbots dished-up 57 in extras-47 of them wides to give the runs scored column a handy boost.

Chris Clough (3-42) led the bowling effort for Abbots. There were two wickets each for Harrison Vickery and Alfie Harrison. Jay Hussain (0-16 off 7) bowled 30 dot balls and gave little away.

Hill sparked the chase into life by hitting Lake's first ball for four and added 21 more on the way to an unbeaten 113!

Best of the supporting acts on the way to victory was left-hander Richard Harmer with 30. He and Hill put on 130 for the first wicket.

Lake finished with respectable figures of four for 44 - the last three in the space of four balls on the last lap to an Abbots' win.

Ed Smout-Cooper, the Abbotskerswell captain, knew exactly where to start handing out the praise.

"Charlie hill was fantastic for his 100," said Smout-Cooper.

"We all know Charlie's quality and it was great to see him play an innings that confirms it.

"Charlie was truly dominant and dismissive. He was well supported by our top order, but it really was his day."

Luke Domaschenz clattered an unbeaten century to steer Budleigh Salterton to an eight-wicket win over Ipplepen.