CHUDLEIGH put some distance between themselves and the bottom two with a three-wicket win at Lewdown.

Having gone six games without a win one was overdue for Ed Foreman’s side.

Lewdown were bowled out for 118 – Callum Heath taking three for 46 – which Chudleigh knocked off after a struggle.

The latest league table has Chudleigh 14 points ahead of Brixham who are in the second relegation place.

Bottom side Plymstock visit Kate Brook this Saturday, a game Chudleigh won’t want to lose as it will suck them back into the relegation mire.

South Africa Dinecho Visser top scored with 51 for Lewdown, who only had three batters in double figures. Richard Goldsby-West (14) and Dave Ball (10) were the other two.

Lewdown were 102 for three before Heath removed Visser and simply collapsed in a heap.

The mopping up was carried out by Ben Holmes (2-19), Grant Stone (2-5) and three bowlers with a wicket each.

Stone (32) and Mark Solway (16) appeared to lay a platform for Chudleigh, but 53 for none became 64 for three as nerves jangled.

A second stumble - 80 for three to 86 for six as Tallan Burns (3-40) – had the alarm bells clanging.

Bits and pieces from Rob Clarke (13no) and Holmes (17no) got Chudleigh there with three balls to spare.

Skipper Ed Foreman, who was at a wedding and missed the game, was biting his nails as the texts came in with the latest update.

He said: “Considering we had five at a wedding and it was Will Heather’s first Devon League game in charge, it was a fantastic result.

“The team travelled with the plan to bring home as many bonus points as possible, so to grab a win was very unexpected. “Hopefully it will provide us with the boost we need going into a key part of the season for us.”

Harry Geering, Lewdown’s club captain, said it was an unimpressive performance by his team.

“We batted dreadfully on a 220-wicket we were all out in 35 overs for barely half that,” said Geering.

“It was a must-win game and now we are being dragged into a relegation battle.”


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