CHUDLEIGH sprung the shock of the day in the A Division when they defeated visiting Lewdown by 81 runs.

Lewdown were second behind leaders Bradninch going into the game and, on form would have felt they were favourites to win.

The picture was radically different after Chudleigh had totalled 292 all out in the last of their 50 overs – Corey Sinclair making 101 off 85 balls – and Lewdown were 78 for five in reply.

Chudleigh probably thought they were on their way after dismissing Johannes Wessels for 83, but it wasn’t as simple as that.

Tom Pengelly (46) and Tom Pearce (33) put on 64 for the seventh wicket to get Lewdown up to 193.

Lewdown were not going to win from there – they needed 100 from the last 10 overs the tail-enders in – and it wasn’t long before the Chudleigh finished them off.

Man of the match Sinclair took three for 48 at the top of the order, Hugh Stronge (3-31) had wickets in the middle and Matt Heather (3-83) knocked over the stragglers.

Chudleigh’s total was constructed around two key stands: an opening one of 65 between Mark Solway (24) and Ed Foreman (31) and one of 146 between Sinclair and Dan Britcliffe (58).

Skipper Foreman said Sinclair and Britcliffe set the game up perfectly for Chudleigh.

“We knew we had to put big runs on the board to stand a chance of winning,” said Foreman.

“Early wickets helped us to contain very well and we were able to starve Wessels of the strike.

We dropped off just after we got him out because the game was won, which meant Lewdown were able to put another partnership together.

“However there were too many runs to get.”

Chudleigh are three places and 23 points clear of the relegation places going into Saturday’s game against Budleigh Salterton.

Foreman is determined not to get carried away too soon.

“Our league position looks strong but a couple of bad results and it could all change,” said Foreman.

“Four of our next five games are away from home and the home game is against Bradninch!

“If we can pick up another two wins then we should be in this division next year.”