BIDEFORD brought South Devon’s winning run to a grinding halt when they defeated them by nine wickets at Westward Ho!

South Devon had won three on the trot going into the game and were aiming for a fourth in their fight to get out of the bottom three relegation places.

A South Devon win always looked unlikely after they were bowled out for just 103 in the 32nd of their 45 overs. – Josh Atkinson taking five wickets for 34 runs.

South Devon’s middle order has been brittle all season and so it proved again.

After Ryan Maunder (25), Divan Marais (20) and Alex Wright (31) had taken South Devon to 73 for two, the batting fell apart.

Five wickets went for six runs as South Devon slumped to 79 for seven – Atkinson doing most of the damage in cahoots with Jamie Lathwell and Fred King.

Maunder was eight out at 91 leaving the tail exposed, but not for long.

Bideford were home and dry in 23 overs, led there by opener James Ford with 45 not out.

Ford and Tom Brend (39) got 90 off the target, leaving Matt Shepherd (14no) to tie up the loose ends.

The only consolation for South Devon is that fellow strugglers Braunton and Thorverton both lost too, although not as badly.

Bottom side Dartington & Totnes won for the first time this season though and will fancy making it two on the trot when they visit South Devon this Saturday.

Bideford are fourth in the table, but only three points behind Ottery and Ivybridge in joint second place.

Bideford skipper Heard said the bowlers stuck to aggressive lines and were well rewarded.

“Josh Atkinson picked up five bowling stump to stump,” said Heard.

Then the opening pair scored the bulk of the runs again - they've been superb this year.

“Matt Shepherd came in and first two balls for sixes to finish the job off quickly.”