James Mitcham - runs for Upottery

IT’S going to be winner-takes-all when Barnstaple & Pilton visit Chardstock this Saturday with the D Division East title up for grabs.

With one game to go only three points separate leaders B&P from chasers Chardstock.

There is no promotion this season from either D Division as part of the league reorganisation going on to create an all-through league.

The champions’ trophy will look nice in someone’s awards cabinet though and be as spur for next season, when promotion returns.

Barnstaple & Pilton feared the worst after they were bowled out for 127, Harry Wright (3-29) and Alan Ostler (3-18) doing most of the damage.

Jack Moore top scored on 39 and dad Steve made 25 not out coming in at 69 for six – crucial runs as it turned out.

Ten-man Honiton were 76 for two on the chase – Ben Kidson (48) and Tom Strawbridge (25) the main run getters – and the portents weren’t good for B&P.

Brady Saunders (2-23) whipped out Kidson them Strawbridge, leaving Jack Moore (3-22) and Lee Cole (2-8) to polish off the rest.

UPOTTERY followed their narrow win over Honiton with a runaway victory over Woodbury & Newton St Cyres.

There were runs virtually all down the order for Upottery in a total of 324 for eight. Jack Larcombe (91) and James Mitcham (85) stood out.

Ten man Woodbury and NSC were all out for 115 in reply, George Jarman top scoring on 21.

Man of the match Mitcham had three wickets for 14 runs.

Woodbury & NSC only had nine players for their 2nd XI game against 10-man Countess Wear, but won by 20 runs with Maddie Hollifield opening the bowling and taking two for 26 from nine overs.

GARY Larcombe performed the hat-trick for his current club against one of his old ones to speed Chardstock to a nine-wicket win in the derby date with Axminster.

Nick Taylor (3-12) and Rob Hutchings had Axminster reeling at 29 for five, then Larcombe (3-8) and Ed Brown (2-2) polished off the rest.

The last five wickets fell for just three runs.

Hutchings then struck 36 off 22 balls as Chardstock chased to win in 4.1 overs.

LEE Hooper hit a century and still ended up on the losing side in the derby clash between Halberton & Sampford Peverell and Kentisbeare.

Hooper hit 136 at the top of the order and his stand of 150 with Rob Venn helped H&SP total 274 for eight.

Kents knocked off the runs in the penultimate over.

Rory Tatterton (75) and David Armstrong (66) got them going with a stand of 114 for the second wicket. Ian Oliver (23) and Andy Chave (36) got Kents most of the rest of the way.

Halberton & Sampford Peverell are at home to Axminster in their final game this Saturday.

TIVERTON need to beat Upottery this Saturday to be sure of avoiding the wooden spoon in the D Division East.

A hefty 148-run defeat by Topsham St James at Bonfire Field left Tiverton seven points clear of bottom side Woodbury & Newton St Cyres with one game to go.

Woodbury & NSC wind-up against Kentisbeare, which won’t be easy for them.

Stands of 112 between Aiden Pring (52) and Dan Armstrong (77), followed by another of 123 between Armstrong and Charlie Penn (67) got Topsham up to 251 for five.

Tiverton collapsed from 61 for three to 85 for seven in reply with Brian Jeary, Sam Warren, Rahul Anthony and Armstrong all taking wickets.

Geoff Pugsley (21) was eighth to go in 10-man Tiverton’s all-out total of 103.