Topsham St James U11s cricket season came to a close at the final of the East Devon cup against an all-star Exeter team.

After losing the toss, Topsham were asked to field and started well by creating two catching chances, but neither was taken.

The players stuck to their task well with some controlled bowling, which would have seen off many of the teams faced this year.

The first wicket was taken by Nancy Leather with a trademark low bouncing delivery.

Topsham’s fielding was their best of the year, with committed fielding and some excellent backing up. However, Exeter could not be restricted to less than 157.

The Exeter bowling attack came at Topsham with some of the fastest bowling many of the batsmen have seen, and the wickets quickly began to tumble as the appeals rained down. The target was soon beyond the team, but each batsman went out to enjoy their last innings of the summer and the biggest cheer of the day came for Isabelle Baylis’s boundary stroke!

Saints U11 coach Ian Mason said: “The team of seven boys and four girls ranging from eight upwards came up short in the scorebook, but showed how many other things are important in cricket. Each member of the team on the day, and their team mates from the summer, played with a smile on their face and came on with their cricketing skills. After a very successful season the team can look forward to the Presentation Evening and a well-deserved break ready for next year.”