BRADNINCH took an important step closer to winning promotion when they beat Paignton by 49 runs at Kensham Park.

Going into the final third of the season Bradninch were 40 points clear at the top of the table with Lewdown, Paignton and Budleigh the best of the rest.

Paignton are now 49 points behind Bradninch with five games to go and no longer a threat to Bradninch for one of the promotion places.

If Bradninch beat Sandford in the mid-Devon derby at Kensham Park this Saturday, they will be as good as up, although promotion as champions will probably have to wait another week or maybe two.

Bradninch were all out for 208 against Paignton with more than three overs to go – Cameron Suidgeest rescuing them from 56 for five with 68 down the order.

Rob Shergold (4-27) caused early problems for Bradninch, although they appeared back on course while Tim Piper (28) and Gary Chappell (19) were putting on 41 for the third wicket.

Losing three wickets for nine runs – two to Stephen George (2-21) – was cause for concern in the home camp.

Suidgeest and Andy Buzza (30) stopped the rot with a stand of 68 and a further partnership of 41 between the Aussie all-rounder and Will Greig (25) took Bradninch to their final total.

Paignton were in even worse shape than Bradninch after 25 overs as they were struggling at 88 for six.

Noah Wright’s 21 off 70 balls was as good as it had been for Paignton as Chappell (5-15) and Ross Acton (2-45) got into the early order.

Former captain Chris Kelmere bashed Paignton back into the game with seven fours and three sixes on his way to 75 off 73 balls.

At 155 for five with Kelmere and George Yates (16) in and 12 overs to go, it was game on.

Then Kelmere got out to Chappell and the Paignton tail folded. Chappell and Chris Acton (2-7) had two more wickets each for four runs between them.

There has been some lively banter between the teams all season, starting with a Paignton comment that Bradninch were ‘self-proclaimed title favourites’.

Skipper Chappell was happy to turn that comment round on Paignton.

“In the end the 'self-proclaimed title favourites' did the talking on the pitch,” said Chappell.

“It was a pretty even contest the whole way with both sides looking like they had won it at certain stages.

“Cam got us out of jail with his innings with help from Buzza and Greig.

“Then we pretty much blew them away other than a superb innings from Kelmere.

I don't understand how he hasn't scored more runs this year the way he hits it.”