SKIPPER Justin Yau gunned a century in Torquay\s 43-run win over North Devon.

Torquay needed a win to avoid being pulled into the scrap to avoid going down with doomed Brixham.

Second-bottom Cornwood’s defeat by Exmouth means Torquay are now 30 points clear of the relegation places, not enough to be 100 per cent safe but definitely better than being with 15 points of the danger zone.

North Devon are 19 points clear of the relegation spots with Bovey Tracey to play this Saturday.

“That win gives us breathing space and hopefully we can carry on in the same vein for the rest of the season,” said skipper Yau.

“It was the best atmosphere we've experienced for some time and it was great to get over the line.”

Torquay went along at a brisk pace in the first 12 overs, reaching 52 for three with Mitch Pugh, Reid Mawdsley and Sach Galhenage the men out.

Josh King (2-46) and Stef James were the bowlers who did the damage.

Yau went in at 46 for two after Mawdsley was caught behind and batted through to the final over for is 115.

Along the way there were stands of 90 with George Allen –he made 53 quicker than run a ball – 66 with Nick Watkin (35) and a couple of 30s with Jack Richardson and Kazi Szymanski.

Kyle Verreynne (3-68) got among the wickets in the latter overs as Torquay had a swing on their way to a total of 287 for nine.

North Devon were faced with scoring at nearly six an over to win – and kept to it for a while before Pugh and Galhenage slowed them up.

Opener Tom Ansell (48) was an early anchorman for North Devon with skipper Barney Huxtable (47) keeping the chase going,

Huxtable’s stand of 80 with Ben Mason (58no) got North Devon up to 169 for five, but by then the asking rate was in eight-an-over territory.

Mason batted through to the end, but with no one making more than 11 in the lower half of the order North Devon finished well adrift on 244 all out.

Watkin (3-46) got among the tail to hasten North Devon’s demise.

Skipper Yau said he was proud to make a ton at last in the top flight, but stressed he didn’t win the match on his own.

“It was nice to score my first-ever hundred in the Prem for Torquay. but it wouldn't have happened without crucial contributions from George Allen and Nick Watkin,” said Yau.

“It was George's third 50 this year  which is a good return and he just looks at home in his first season here.

“Kazi was back to his best and it was great to see him bowl with control.”

North Devon are only 19 points clear of the relegation places, not that skipper Huxtable is too concerned.

”We know we need to win one or two games to be safe and we back ourselves to do so,” said Huxtable.

“There were loads of positives to take from Saturday.

“Jack Gibbs bowled really well and looks an exciting prospect.

“Gloucester 2nd XI are having a look at him, which does not surprise me.

“Brett mason batted fantastically it was just a shame someone wasn't able to stick around with him.

“Justin yau batted really well for Torquay and thoroughly deserved, in my eyes, his match-winning hundred.”