After many years finishing as runners-up in the competition, Uplyme won the East Devon T20 Bash by seven runs in a tense finish against Kilmington on Sunday.

Man of the match was Australian all-rounder Preston Hilless who hit a blistering 66 to finish his spell with Uplyme before returning home.

Opening the innings in rainy conditions, Hilless wasted no opportunity to unleash some big hitting, his total including one tremendous six that cleared the long boundary and left the ground.

He was well supported by Daniel Magee (46) and, at the end of their twenty overs, Uplyme were 176 for seven.

Kilmington’s reply was well-paced with boundaries interspersed with good running between the wickets and the outcome was in doubt until the very last over.

Connor Trott (34) and Dave Reed (31) were the pick of the Kilmington batters while Uplyme’s Andrew Harrison and Steve Batey both finished with two wickets from their four overs.

The cup was presented at the end of the game to Uplyme skipper Sam Farrow by Councillor Philip Evans.

Elseehere, Uplyme's team selection issued continued as they were well beaten by Exeter seconds.

Despite recent problems, the club still finished sixth out of ten teams in the section with a total of 196 points.

When the home side took first strike, they soon lost an early wicket but Josh Paget and Elliott Barnes then came together to push the score on quickly.

Paget went on to finish with 114 and, after Barnes (61) had been dismissed, Felix Joseph (73) took no time to get after Uplyme’s bowling attack.

The visiting bowlers did pick up some successes with Exeter’s lower order, Preston Hilless finishing with 3-43 from his nine overs and Sam Farrow also claiming three wickets.

Faced with such a daunting total, Preston Hilless and Alfie Jaques started well and they were followed by a steadying 42 from Farrow.

Mark Batey came in later to top score with 44 but he rapidly ran out of partners and although three batting points were gained, the run chase fell well short.

Exeter’s Harrison Gribble’s short spell of just over four overs yielded figures of 5-30, four of victims cleaned bowled.