BIDEFORD are back on top of the B Division, but not by much, thanks to a last-ball win in a thriller with deposed leaders Tavistock.

Skipper Paul Heard blazed away for 102 off 101 balls – 12 fours, four sixes – as Bideford totted up 237 for nine.

Tavistock got to the last over from Martin Steward needing three to win and couldn’t quite do it.

“We had four dot balls, a single and Shaun Cleave caught at long-on, leaving  two to win off the final ball,” said player-chairman Dave Manning.

“The ball went through to the keeper, who started celebrating and as he threw the ball in the air we tried running through for a single to tie it.

“Then it got a bit chaotic! When they saw us running they took a shy at the stump and missed – so we had the chance to get a second perhaps.

“The umpires were a bit non-plussed by it all. The eventually decided the ball as dead before we started running, so game over.

“That’s the decision – right or wrong – and we won’t crib over it either way.

“Had we not bowled so many wides – 35 to their nine – we wouldn’t have been in that position at all.

“We still took nine points from the game and are right up there in second behind Bideford now with everything to play for.”

Veteran James Ford made 37 at the top of the order Bideford, whose innings was dominated by Heard. He went in at 26 for three after Bideford struggled against Dylan Aucamp (3-33) and came out at 194 for five.

Jamie Lathwell (25) chipped in.

Billy Barriball (3-63) and David Milligan (2-29) had some success with the ball. Cleave (1-13 off 9) kept it tight.

Barriball (50) and Manning (41) got the Tavvy chase up and running.

James White (30) and Cleave (41) kept the pursuit going, them Rob Bone (31no) helped set up the nail-biting finish.

Victory puts Bideford five points clear of Ipplepen and eight up on Tavistock at the top of the table.

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