Exeter condemn Bradninch to first defeat of Premier season

EXETER proved they can compete with the best in the Premier Division by defeating long-time leaders and defending champions Bradninch & Kentisbeare by three wickets.

- BY CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Bradninch & Kentisbeare remain top, but with a reduced lead of just eight points over Paignton, and Exeter are still in mid-table.

There was a bitter-sweet element to the result for Exeter skipper Clint McCabe, who said: “It just makes our Plymouth (4 runs) and Exmouth (21 runs) shockers even more unbearable”

Opener Dan Hardy top scored for Bradninch & Kentisbeare with 56 in a team total of 199 for nine.

Hardy was involved in stands that added exactly 100 before he was fourth out - the second of four scalps for Exeter spinner Sam Read (4-31).

Tim Piper (28) was next best with the bat for B&K. Twenty-nine extras topped-up the total.

Spin proved profitable for Exeter with further wickets for left-armer McCabe (2-34) and off-spinner Seb Linnitt (2-9).

“We bowled well and were pleased to keep them under 200; said McCabe.