BUDLEIGH Salterton skipper Joel Murphy is going to be an anxious spectator for the rest of the season after suffering a slipped disc.

Murphy dropped out of the promotion tussle with Lewdown on Saturday, handing the captaincy to former Devon all-rounder Trevor Anning.

Murphy knows he won’t play again this season, but is comfortable handing over to Anning.

“I am a terrible spectator, although at least by doing the scoring last Saturday I was able to stay involved,” said Murphy.

“Trevor is hugely experienced, both for Devon and with Exmouth before he came to us, and we are lucky to have him at this tough time of the season.

“We have got three big games coming up and I can think of no one better to take over than Trevor.”

Budleigh cruised to a seven-wicket win over Lewdown last time out to keep tabs on Paignton at the top of the table.

Paignton beat Barton to maintain a 12-point lead over Budleigh, who play their Seaside promotion rivals on the last day of the season. There could be a lot at stake…

Lewdown opener Johannes Wessels made a brisk 27 at the top of the order before Anning (23) got him out.

A stand of 58 for the third wicket between Harry Geering (38) and Tallan Burns (27) took Lewdown to 92 for three.

Matt Witcher went in at 1114 for four and was last man out in Lewdown’s total of 202.

The wickets were shared with two each for Anning, Sid Fereday, Max Waller and Andy Procter.

The chase was a perfunctory affair for Budleigh, who lost wickets at 24, 51 and 173 – all to Wessels (3-33).

Waller top scored with 72 and put on 122 with Ben Phillips, whose 59 not out took Budleigh the rest of the way.

Budleigh are at home to relegated Ipplepen this Saturday.