NORTH Devon dropped into the Premier Division bottom two after tumbling to an eight-wicket defeat against Exeter.
Tom Ansell’s run of form continued with a top score of 79 in North Devon’s total of 272 for five in 50 overs.
Ansell, who took a ton off Paignton seven days earlier, has 244 league runs in five hits this season and is averaging exactly 61.
Devon team chief Keith Donohue knows Ansell is knocking on the county door and said he was on the short list for this week’s game against Dorset at Sherborne, which was ruined by rain.
Devon play Oxfordshire at Banbury over three days in two weeks time and Ansell is bound to come into contention for that match.
Ansell and Tom Popham (28) put on 70 for the first wicket, then Dan Bowser (62) added 98 with Ansell for the third.
When Ansell fell to Ben Green (2-56), North Devon were 168 for two with 15 overs to go.
Callum Hotham (32), Stef James (23) and Josh King (32) all chipped in, although the total always looked a bit below par when North Devon’s bowling was factored in.
North Devon were without miserly medium pacer Matt Westaway, without whom it was going to be tough keeping Exeter in check.
Exeter raced to 63 without loss in the first 10 overs – then lost opener Alex Barrow for 33 to King (2-48).
Rob Holman was already on 23 when Barrow went and had no intention of being budged.
Holman and Green then set about taking 206 off the North Devon attack in a second-wicket stand that effectively settled the game.
Green was on 96 when King got him out – and Exeter were on 269 for two.
Holman went on to reach 121 not out off 124 balls as Exeter clinched victory in the 39th over.
