Gamindu Amarasinghe who starred with bat and ball for Budleigh on his debut at North Devon

Gamindu Kanishka Amarasinghe certainly made a big impact in his opening game for Budleigh Salterton in their Francis Clark Devon League game at Instow against North Devon.

He scored a half century and then claimed a fivefer as Budleigh made a winning start to their Francis Clark Devon League Premier Division campaign.

The 25-year-old Sri Lankan entered the action at the fall of the third Budleigh wicket and he and Eliot Rice promptly added 82 in a ball short of 15 overs in an 89 minute partnership to set their side up to make a very respectable score in the new form of 50-over win or lose cricket.

When Rice was out for 45 with the score on 170-4, there were still over 11 overs to be bowled.

Amarasinghe went next for a splendid debut half century. His 57 included five fours and two 6s and came from just 55 deliveries. James Burke had earlier scored a fine 44 before he was bowled at the end of the 19th over with the score then 74-2. Following the dismissal of Amarasinghe, three swift wickets fell as the innings slipped from 179-4 to 204-8 after which just six more runs were added with Budleigh closing on 210-8 from their 50 overs.

Amarasinghe then made an immediate impact with the ball as he ended the innings of the North Devon opener with his third delivery!

The reigning champions, beaten on match day one at Sidmouth, then took the score to 46 before skipper Joel Murphy claimed a wicket helped by a catch from Lloyd White. Lloyd Murrin was next to bag a wicket as he got rid of the dangerous Querl for 38. Murrin also dismissed Matt Westaway and, at 105-4, Budleigh were back in charge. The tail began to wag, but the return of Amarasinghe did the trick as he whipped out top scorer Ayre and mopped up the tail with the Instow side losing their final wicket on 187 leaving Budleigh 23 run winners.

The victory means Budleigh join, Bradninch, Bovey Tracey, Sidmouth and Torquay with one hundred percent records at the start of the 2012 campaign.

Make sure of your copy of these weeks Exmouth Journal to read a full match report on the Budleigh success.