In a gripping cricket match, Honiton beat Exwick in a home game at Mountbatten, making it their fourth successive victory.
There was joy and agony as Exwick made the journey hoping for a washout due to a 5 per cent rain forecast.
However, the weather held up, driving the spirits of the Honiton team even higher.
At the toss, Exwick chose to field, and Honiton batsmen Haysum and Canniford strode out to bat.
The Honiton captain navigating aggressively led to a swift score growth, with Canniford supporting ably by swapping the striking position frequently.
The duo managed to secure 54 runs within six overs when an unfortunate catch dismissed Canniford, welcoming Hext onto the field.
Both batsmen continued to score well, but Hext was soon dismissed due to sharp fielding.
Things truly heated up when Ben Kennell joined Haysum on the pitch, showcasing some impressive shots and driving the score up.
Their aggressive play took Haysum closer to his first 100 of the season.
However, a nasty knee injury put a halt to Kennell’s performance, causing a pause for early tea and an ambulance call.
Hext, who had injured his finger during his batting run, also sought hospital aid.
With the departure of two players, Honiton called upon Holmes and Brad Groves to carry on.
Showing solid team spirit, Groves helped Haysum secure his season's first century, and the team's total to 250.
Following that, Dan Hooper and Corey Lapping had brief stints on the pitch, with Haysum being declared LBW after a notable score of 124 off 96 balls.
Establishing their aggressive stance, Brandon Knight and Alan Ostler drove the score to a mighty 250, adding pressure on Exwick's chase.
When it came to Exwick’s turn, they bravely rose to the challenge.
However, despite their best efforts, they weren’t able to keep up with the required run rate.
Notable performances were witnessed from Murphy and Kumar, but Haysum’s strategic bowling changes stopped the scoring rate, making the competition even sterner.
The game reached a climactic peak when with Exwick at 139/4 off 26 overs, Walker Jr and Cox tried to keep the scoreboard ticking.
However, excellent bowling from Ostler and Haysum limited their options and took the game to 163/8.
Despite a valiant attempt by Warren for a final push to 200, the game ended with Honiton claiming victory.
It must be said, that despite injuries that saw two players off to the hospital, this match presents a gripping showcase of both teams' cricketing tenacity.
The exciting win has made the season finale seem closer and has notably tightened the league’s table.
Next on the line is Sidmouth and both Honiton and their fans are heavily anticipating the clash.
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