HATHERLEIGH'S promotion campaign is back on track thanks to a four-wicket win over Chudleigh.
The long-time leaders –they were 10 out of 10 in early July – dropped down to second after losing four out of five.
Hatherleigh probably won’t catch Sandford for the title – the gap is 27 points with two games to go – but are almost guaranteed the runners-up spot.
“A good win away from home, great effort from all bowlers and an easy chase has got us right back in it,” said skipper Mark Lake.
“Looking forward to this Saturday and, hopefully, gaining promotion, which will be a superb achievement.”
Fifteen points off Plymstock this Saturday will send Hatherleigh back to the Premier Division for the first time since 1991.
Chudleigh’s recent form went out of the window as Hatherleigh bowled them out for 85.
Grant Stone made 22 in a running total of 29 for three. The slide started at 56 for four when Ed Foreman (18) went to Matt Thomas (2-15).
The last five wickets went for 24 runs as Rob Cockwill (2-9) and Jabez Weale (2-9) saw off the stragglers.
Chudleigh are at home to Budleigh Salterton this Saturday. Relegation isn’t an issue for them as they can’t finish in the bottom two.
CORNWOOD got into a winning position twice against Budleigh Salterton before going down by seven runs in a low-scoring affair at Ottermouth.
Corns’ skipper Elliott Staddon must have thought the hard work was one after Budleigh were dismissed for 127 – Matt Skeemer (3-30_ and Josh Goodlife (3-17) taking three wickets each.
Cornwood slumped to 37 for four in reply, recovered to 112 for five then lost five wickets for eight runs on the way to 120 all out.
Cornwood were already out of the promotion race going into the game and losing will only cost them the chance of finishing third, which looks like Budleigh’s destiny.
Max Waller, Somerset’s T20 specialist, hit 51 and Trevor Anning 23 to rescue Budleigh from 26 for three.
Waller had played in front of a full house at the Ageas Bowl the night before, helping Somerset beat Hampshire to reach the last eight of the NatWest T20 Blast.
Waller had three wickets early to put Cornwood on the back foot, only Staddon (26) lasted long, before Skeemer (32) and Matt Butterworth (15) made some headway.
Phil Anning (2-25) and brother Trevor (3-40) ran through the lower order.
PLYMSTOCK beat Brixham by 131 runs to breathe new life into their A Division survival prospects.
Jack Horton (36) made early runs for Plymstock, the Josh Sumner (36) and skipper Scott Mansfield (51) added 50 towards the tally of 208 all out.
Tim Robinson (3-38) was the pick of the bowlers for Brixham, who were skittled for 77.
Robinson (12) and Steve Trust (13) were the only batters to make double figures.
Rob Cunningham (2-17) took early wickets, but the star of the show was spinner Charlie Martin with five for 11.
Plymstock are still bottom of the table, but have cut the leeway between themselves and safety to 23 points. All they have to do is overtake Plympton…
Plymstock’s final games are against top two Hatherleigh and Sandford. If they do stay it really will be a great escape.
“Although it looks very difficult to survive it's not impossible,” said Mansfield.
Mansfield said Plymstock finally recaptured the form that helped them win promotion last season – now they need to keep doing it.
“We applied ourselves in the way we did last year with the bat, which was great to see,” said Mansfield.
“Just slightly disappointed we haven't done it on more occasions this year as we may not have found ourselves in the position we are.”
On the mechanics of beating Brixham, Mansfield said: “We knew we needed to be patient and bowl with discipline and it paid off come the end.
“Tom Mitch (2-16) and Robbie Cunningham got the early breakthroughs which left Charlie Martin to spin his way through the rest.”
IVYBRIDGE still have some work to do to be certain of dodging the drop after losing by seven wickets to Lewdown.
Ivybridge were held to 194 for nine in the full 50 overs – Jeewan deSilva striking 56 off 61 balls.
Lewdown won with nine ball to spare, opener Dave Ball (56) leading the way.
With two games and 40 points to play for, Ivybridge are 30 points clear of the relegation places. Defeats for Brixham and Plympton helped Ivybridge, who need 10 points to be 100 per cent safe.
Abraham Kopparambil (44) made the early runs for the Bridge. Harry Solomon (33) and de Silva put on 62 for the fourth wicket.
Dino Visser – three wickets for six runs from 10 overs – was almost unplayable for the Ivybridge batters.
Lewdown demolished the target in bite-sized chunks, starting with Visser (34) and Ball hoisting 87 for the first wicket.
Leon Horn (42no) and Harry Geering (30) added 59, leaving Matt Witcher (24no) to tie up the loose ends.
