SKIPPER Danny Forrester set the tone for Hatherleigh 2nd XI with an undefeated 160 in their 84-run win over Abbotskerswell 2nd XI.

Batting at first wicket down Forrester went in at 33 for and was still there when the overs ran out with the score on 321 for five.

Forrester hit 19 fours and four sixes from just 108 balls faced. He shared in a stand of 75 for the second wicket with Zak Spears (22) and another of 138 unbroken with Hayden Sharp (53no).

Abbots’ Bowling bright spots were limited to a three-for-48 return in the book for veteran spinner Andy Lock.

Steve Bishop, a new recruit to Abbots’ cause, marked his debut with a century in a respectable reply that reached 237 for eight.

Bishop made 103 from 100 balls. He put away 17 fours – the last off Cameron Rowlands to reach his ton – and a single six. A stand of 139 with Jamie Lock (44) was a definite highlight for Abbots.

Forrester (2-20) and Tom Carroll (2-32) were the only Hatherleigh bowlers to claim more than one wicket.

Elsewhere, Marc Troman compiled a half-century, and Luke Davies should have had one as well, in Budleigh Salterton’s six-wicket win over Bovey Tracey 2nd XI in the B Division.

Budleigh were asked to improve on Bovey’s total of 167 for nine and did it with more than 10 overs to spare.

Opener Troman batted from start to finish for exactly 50 not out. The single that brought up his half-century levelled the scores.

Davies got out lbw to Ben Steer on 49. He and Troman had put on 105 for the first wicket, which made the rest of the chase largely routine.

Ed Doble took Budleigh most of the rest of the way with a bright-and-breezy 32.

Tight Bovey bowling from Braydon Pink, Ben Kay and Steer ensured Budleigh did not run away with the game.

Bovey were always up against it after an early duffing-up by Budleigh’s bowlers had them reeling at 32 for five.

Respectability was restored by sixth-wicket pair Arren de Young (54) and Pink (52), whose stand of 105 gave Bovey’s bowlers something to defend.

Wickets were shared among Budleigh’s bowlers. Pacer Jack England returned late on to bag a couple and finish with three for 44. Sam Whitehead and Joe Marley had two each.

Dan Green, the Bovey captain, said: “When you are 32 for five you are always up against it, but the lads did well to come back and get 167.

“Although we bowled well, we just couldn't catch a break.

“Getting three injuries in a game – one of them our sub fielder – meant it was always going to be tough.

“We move on to Chudleigh at home next.”