PAIGNTON can plan for life back in the Premier Division next season after beating Chudleigh by 60 runs at Queens Park.

It seemed Paignton were heading for a last-day showdown with Budleigh Salterton as the two sides were almost neck and neck in the race to finish second behind champs elect Bradninch.

Then Budleigh lost at lowly Hatherleigh, which put a whole new perspective on the situation.

Paignton are now 19 points ahead of Budleigh with 20 to play for when the sides meet at Ottermouth this Saturday.

The only way Paignton can slip up now is if Budleigh bowl them out for less than 50 AND knock off the runs without losing a wicket. Possible, but unlikely.

Paignton, skippered by Dan Wolf in the absence of Richard Ashworth, made 226 for seven after winning the toss and opting to bat.

Wolf went in at 43 for two after Ollie Higgs (18) and Noah Wright (18) had given Paignton a start and went on to make a top score of 82.

Paignton’s big stand was one of 118 between Wolf and Conor Bryan (39).

Chris Kelmere – run out for 21 and Harry Ward (18no) chipped in during the last 10 overs.

Andy Robinson (1-24) and Callum Heath (0-23) bowled tidily up front for Chudleigh. Wicket takers Matt Heather (2-51) and Corey Sinclair (2-36) were a bit more expensive.

Chudleigh got to 102 for four without too many issues – Heather (54) and Ed Foreman (21) making the bulk of the runs.

The problems started for Chudleigh when they lost Heather to Rob Shergold (3-47).

Wickets tumbled, mostly to Wolf (3-9) as Chudleigh collapsed to 166 all out.

Rob Clarke (35) was one of the five batters to go for 17 runs.

With promotion assured for Paignton, there really is some planning to do if they intend to stay in the top flight.

They have been relegated from the Premier Division three times in eight years – 2008, 2011 and 2015 – and never managed to survive longer than a season after promotion. Will it be third time lucky?