Ashburton first team began their Devon League C Division West campaign by hosting a Yelverton side who had been promoted from D Division West in the previous season.
Newly appointed Ashes skipper Steve Edmonds won his first toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat on a great looking Varwell strip. Openers Lloyd White and George Yabsley got the season off to the perfect start with a fine opening partnership of 152 in good time, before Yabsley departed for an excellent 62. White, who was fortunate to survive a couple of chances before reaching 50, then made Yelverton pay as he despatched the ball to all parts of the ground. A further 64 was added with Dan Coles (16) and then James Fraser (11) and Ryan May (13no) helped Ashes to a final total of 282 for 5 wickets in their 45 overs. White finishing unbeaten on a glorious 137. Ben Grove (3 for 66) picked up wickets for Yelverton in the dash for runs at the end.
Ashes then started well with the ball, with captain Edmonds (1 for 28) making an early breakthrough. Andy Birkett (25) and Grove (22), assisted by a generous helping of extras, fought back advancing the score to 72 for 1 after the first 15 overs. May (1 for 33) trapped Birkett LBW and Matt Coon (2 for 18) had Grove well caught as Yelverton started to get behind the run rate. Jonathan Malan (56) kept runs flowing from one end, but lacked support as Will Coon (3 for 30) picked off wickets at the other end and the asking rate steadily increased. With more than 15 an over required from the last 7 overs, Chris Yeo (3 for 8) dismissed Malan and polished off the lower order with the minimum of fuss as Yelverton were all out for 180 with 23 balls remaining.
After the game Edmonds said "Lloyd and Yabs batted superbly to put us in a strong position for the whole game. Bowling wise our strength in depth showed with Chris Yeo and the Coon brothers bowling brilliantly to take 8 wickets between them. Whilst there's definitely some room for improvement, it was a top performance and I couldn't have asked for any more from the guys in my first game as skipper."
George Yabsley and Lloyd White who added 152 for the first wicket on Saturday.
Ashburton second team travelled to play their South Devon counterparts. After winning the toss and electing to bowl South Devon made steady progress to 80 for 1 at the halfway stage mainly thanks to Jonty Tupman (56). However the game was totally changed by a brutal innings of 143no from just 54 balls by Harry Senior. Well supported by Jack Allen (49), South Devon reached a final total of 310 for 5 in their 40 overs. Luke Pascoe (2 for 37) and George Marshall (2 for 45) were the pick of the Ashburton bowlers.
In reply Ashburton reached 192 all out in the last of their 40 overs, mainly thanks to 56 from Marcus West and 43 from Martyn Causey.
After the game skipper Phil Pascoe said "A difficult game and the innings from Harry Senior was the difference between the two teams, but we stuck at it and did well to pick up 6 points."