SOUTH Devon CC skipper Jon Martin believes a change in attitude is responsible for the club’s promising start to the C Division West season.

Three wins in four outings, and 63 points out of 80 so far, represent South Devon’s best start to the season since winning promotion back to the C Division for 2023.

Win number three was by five wickets over near neighbours Teignmouth & Shaldon last time out.

Martin, in his second stint skippering the Newton Abbot side, has tried to instil a fresh mindset into the squad … and it appears to be paying off.

“Genuinely, I think the boys have bought into the way I like to play cricket,” said Martin.

“Everyone is taking responsibility for their own performances and not sitting back relying on others to do the job.”

Mali Marshall is combining playing with coaching this season, which Martin sees as another reason results have perked up.

“Mali is doing an excellent job and that’s down to the lads wanting to get better and realising that what they do at training translates onto the pitch.”

Jack Allen (4-22) backed up Martin (3-16) skittling T&S for 88. Karl Blackburn’s 22 was as good as it got for the visitors.

South Devon were a wobbly 19 for three in reply. Marshall (17), Toby Goodman (21no) and Kalen Warne (15) ensured there were no major mishaps.

Meanwhile, promotion-chasing Ashburton remain second behind leaders Cornwood 2nd XI after an eight-wicket victory over bottom side Plymstock 2nd XI.

Runs were in short supply at Dean Cross where Plymstock could only muster 144 for seven in 45 overs.

Ashes’ spinner Aditya More pinned Plymstock down for nine overs, which only cost seven runs and brought him two wickets. Jack Warren (0-13) gave very little to hit. Matt Coon (3-29) took wickets in the middle order.

Opener Steve Edmonds guided Ashburton to victory with an unbeaten 74. He hit 56 in boundaries from 62 balls faced.

Stands of 59 with Dan Coles and 68 with George Yabsley made light work of the chase.

Elsewhere, Ipplepen 2nd XI were brought down to earth with a bump by an eight-wicket defeat at Brixham.

Only skipper Chris Needham (26) in Ipplepen’s top six made much of a contribution to a running total of 75 for seven. The Pens were obliged to Tobias Alsop (72no) and Henry Alsop (20) for a 59-run stand for the ninth wicket that boosted the total to 178.

Brixham’s Mohammed Shaikh (3-16) gave nothing away for nine overs. Lee Upham (2-33) was frugal as well.

Brixham lost wickets on 48 then 156 while they were chasing. Rhys Sallow (89) and Tom Hopper (43no) took Brixham in sight of the finishing line. Shaikh (10no) led them into the winners’ enclosure.

Harry Lewis, Steve Bowden and Henry Alsop all bowled tight spells for Ipplepen.

Finally, Chudleigh dropped into the bottom two following an eight-wicket hammering by leaders Cornwood.

Chudleigh were missing players in key places, which meant drafting in 65-year-old second-teamer Roger Wensley as an opening batter.

Will Heather (40) and Rob Clarke (26) were the only top-six batters to make much progress in a running total of 94 for seven. Yogi Yogesh made a steady 29 that took the final total to 154 all out.

Cornwood then lost wickets at 39 and 97 on the way to victory. Surviving opener Charles Finan (80) and Stanley Baker (25) were the not-out batters at the end.