GOING up! Bradninch are on their way back to the Premier Division after an absence of three seasons having clinched promotion with a two-wicket win at Chudleigh.

The title isn’t won yet, but with three games to go that looks a mere formality now.

Second-placed Paignton are 48 points behind with three games and 60 points to play for.

If Bradnnch win at Hatherleigh this Saturday, or Paignton lose at Lewdown, the title is on the way to Kensham Park.

Chudleigh were all out for 173 against Bradninch after skipper Ed Foreman won the toss and went in first.

Bradninch has a real scrap to get over the line – they were 133 for six at one stage – but Cameron Suidgeest saw them through with an unbeaten 34.

Skipper Gary Chappell, who top scored for Bradninch with 72, said the result was more important than the quality of it.

“We underperformed but scraped a win,” said Chappell.

“It was a big toss to lose as the pitch deteriorated massively and become very hard to bat on.

“Chudleigh showed good spirit and made it very hard work for us.

“But we got a win and are promoted.”

Chudleigh lost wickets regularly in the first 20 overs as they stumbled stumbled to 58 for four,

Matt Heather, who went in at 18 for one, batted through for 28 off 74 balls to get Chudleigh up to 108 for five.

Shaun Newland (19) helped keep the board ticking over and a stand of 38 between Will Heather (22no) and Rob Clarke (23) was useful.

Paceman Ross Acton returned at the end to knock over the tail for figures of four for 17.

Chappell passed 800 league runs for the season in his 72, which included a key stand of 68 for the third wicket with Tim Piper (32).

The Heather brothers – Matt (2-21) and Will (2-42) put pressure on with the ball, as did Clarke (2-30).

Suidgeest went in when Chappell was bowled by Matt Heather and saw Bradninch through. Youngster Will Birley – a late draftee from the 2nd XI – was the man at the other end in a winning partnership of 30.

Chudleigh, 18 points clear of the drop zone, are away to Plympton this Saturday in a pressure game.

Skipper Foreman said after letting Bradninch off the hook his side can’t do the same again.

“It was probably one that got away but for large parts of the game we were not up to scratch,” said Foreman.

“We probably left 30-40 runs out there due to poor shots and bad decision making  – like my run-out!

“We were light with the ball which cost us. If one of our opening bowlers had been playing we probably would have won.

“Also we dropped Suidgeest twice in two balls and he was there at the end to get them over the line.

“I need to see more from the boys if we are going to stay up because other results are starting to go against us.”