BRADNINCH were given an almighty scare by Budleigh Salterton before claiming a five-run win in the top-of-the-table clash.

Budleigh, one of the pack of clubs chasing Bradninch at the top of the table, were set 255 to win after Gary Chappell hit a hundred.

Despite some hard hitting from Trevor Anning (41) and Ben Phillips (86), Bradninch finished on 249 for six.

Bradninch march on at the top of the table, where they are 27 points clear of second-placed Lewdown.

Budleigh have dropped down to fourth, 48 points behind Bradninch and with 22 to find to get past Paignton.

Chappell smote 16 fours and two sixes on his way to 117 off 126 balls in Bradninch’s total of 254 for nine.

Chappell was the first of three scalps for Budleigh pro Max Waller (4-30), walking off at 217 for seven.

There were stands of 79 for the first wicket with Ross Acton, 73 for the second with Dan Hardy (29), 28 for the fourth with Andy Buzza (18) and 31 with Tim Piper (11).

The spinners fared best for Budleigh with Waller, Matt Junk (2-45) and Rob Craze (2-44) the top performers.

Budleigh seemed a long way behind the clock at 87 for four in the 25^th over with Waller just out for Chappell (2-31) for 42.

Craze (17) and Junk (19) kept the board ticking over, but 108 for five in the 29^th over didn’t look a promising position.

Anning and Phillips blasted Budleigh back into the game by putting on 82. Phillips showed the form that has caught the attention of the Devon management with 10 fours and a six in a 76-ball stay.

Anning fell to Chris Acton with 65 needed off 42 balls and that proved just too many for Phillips and Dan Robinson (14no).

Cameron Suidgeest bowled the final over defending a lead of 20 and seven to win off the last ball was the end of it.

Bradninch are away to Barton this Saturday afternoon.