CHELSTON & Kingskerswell cruised to a five-wicket win over Whitchurch at Torre Valley North to go joint third in D West.

Rich Hall top scored with 51 for Whitchurch, who reached 196 for nine in their 45 overs.

There was a stand of 64 between Hall and Nigel Barriball (28) after Ben Powell made 40 of the first 62 on the board.

Pat Duke (3-45) and Russ Bennett (3-49) picked up wickets after Chris Harrison and Vivek Kulkarni had made life difficult for the Whitchurch batters.

Chelston made an inauspicious start when opener Harrison went in the first over.

Steve Waters (39) and Erik Gregerson (21) made a 59-run dent in the deficit, the  Kulkarni saw them the rest of the way home.

The former Bovey Tracey and South Devon all-rounder stroked 60 not out in partnerships with Mike Lawton (16) and Mark Faulkner (24) that put the result beyond doubt.

EXWICK came a cropper on the chase at Yelverton, where they went down to a 107-run defeat.

Opener Geoff Brain made a century in Yelverton’s total of 272 for eight.

Christiaan van Niekerk (39) and Giles Beauchamp (20) chipped in

Hadleigh Scott-Kirk clubbed 54not off 20 balls in the latter stages.

Super veteran Rehann Caryl took three for 37 from nine overs.

Exwick got to 56 for none – Howard Rose (28), Kris Calderhead (25) – then lost three wickets for no runs.

Ray Grunsell (16) and Vic Murphy (26) got Exwick to 121 for four, then the gradual decline to 165 all out started.

The bowling effort was spearheaded by James Casey and Dan Keylock with two wickets each, which left van Niekerk (4-28) to clear out the remnants.

ST Marychurch Old Boys were unable to raise a side for their game against Kenn – the second time this season they have forfeited a fixture.