FILLEIGH put some distance between themselves and the bottom two by holding on for a three-run win over Shobrooke Park.
Filleigh made 243 for nine in their 45 overs – Rob Collier and Justin Saker both making half-centuries – which looked fragile when Shobrooke were 186 for five with Andrew Codling well set.
Filleigh’s bowlers got the brake on just in time – and got Codling out before it was too late – which meant Shobrooke ran out of overs on 240 for nine.
Filleigh are 21 points clear of the drop zone now and looking to make it three wins on the trot away to Abbotskerswell on Saturday.
“A fantastic game of cricket played in the right spirit,” was how Filleigh skipper Simon Prideaux saw it.
“We batted well with significant contributions from the top order, although we did lose a few quick wickets at the end the top order had built a great platform.
“We fielded well and our bowlers held their nerve in the last few overs when the game was in the balance.”
Collier (57) and Saker (60) put in 130 for the second wicket to get Filleigh on top of the bowling.
Tom Youngman (2-41) spun out Saker to break the stand and followed up by trapping Collier lbw.
Filleigh relied on bits and pieces from the middle and lower order, none better than Connor Nash (18) and Jack Brazier (17).
Paceman Ben Trenaman (2-43) returned to claim a couple of wickets at the end.
Shobrooke got to 120 for two with skipper Chris Simpson (63) and Richard Pyle (30) leading the way.
Saker (4-58) got into the middle order as Shobrooke stumbled to 153 for five, when they lost Pyle to Jas Kalsi.
Codling (55) took charge of the bowling and while he remained a win looked possible.
James Campbell finally dispatched Codling at 222 for nine and despite the best efforts of last pair Chris Ford (13no) and Youngman (11no), there was too much to do.
Shobrooke reached the final over from Filleigh’s Jack Brazier on 228 for nine. Two fours and four singles left them short.
Said Simpson: “It's been frustrating as every week either our batting or bowling let us down – this time it was in the field.
“Andrew Coddling batted really, When he walked out we needed eight a over.
“It didn't faze him and he nearly got us over the line with some help from Pyle.
“Chris Ford and Youngman smashed a few boundaries in the last over to make it really close.
“Fair play to the filly boys, for getting the win really good game of cricket.”
Simon Prideaux, the Filleigh captain was quick to repay the compliment, saying: “It was a fantastic game of cricket played in the right spirit.”
