TORQUAY got into Saturday’s derby clash with Paignton at Queens Park secure at the top of the table after beating lowly Bideford by 102 runs.

George Allen’s side are five points clear of second-placed Cornwood and 19 in front of Paignton in third.

There was only going to be one winner at the Recreation Ground after Torquay amassed 294 for six in their 50 overs.

Third-wicket pair George Allen and Mitch Pugh (99) hooked up at 55 for two when Tim Western went for 26 and embarked on a stand of 191.

Pugh was run out by Jack Ford going for the run that would have brought up his third league ton of the season. He has scored 722 league runs at an average of 120.33

Devon Lions captain Allen went on to make 114 and took his A Division runs tally to 697 at an average in the mid-60s.

Pugh (3-48) bowls as well and dismissed Bideford opener James Ford in the first over.

Ollie Hannam (43) and Fred King (50) had the only scores of note in Bideford’s all-out total if 192.

Spinner Franco Kasner (4-31) dealt with Bideford’s middle order before Pugh returned to deal with the tail.

Winning captain Allen said: “It was a great performance again with both bat and ball.

“Everyone over the past couple of weeks has performed and contributed to winning games. 

“Franco four-fer was brilliant, as was Mitch's 99. 

“We look forward to the task ahead visiting a strong Paignton side."

Paul Heard, the Bideford captain, said: "Torquay were stronger than us.

"We were out-batted by two quality batters but stuck in well to get six points."

GEORGE Benton got off to a winning start as Paignton’s new skipper with a five-wicket victory at Plympton.

Richard Ashworth has given up the captaincy after a year and a half in the job due to pressures of work, but will carry on playing.

After being bowled out for 133 with 12 overs to go, a Plympton win always looked unlikely.

Plympton’s bowlers gave it their best shot but, after a couple of scares along the way, Paignton got over the line with more than 20 overs to go.

The bulk of Plympton’s runs were scored between 51 for two and 107 for four by Christian Bunney (23), Justin Wubbeling (39) and Elliot Hamilton (22). Seven wickets lost for 26 runs is not a good stat.

Cole Harford (2-12) had early wickets, Dan Wolf (2-19) snaffled some in the middle and Steve George (3-25) joined forces with George Benton (2-23) to pick off most of the rest.

Jacob Caunter (3-31) gave Plympton some hope by removing openers Wolf and George – and Donohue dismissed dangerous South African Kevin Renecke for 18.

A stand of 26 between skipper Richard Ashworth and Rob Shergold (30) effectively settled the outcome. Ashworth finished on 51 not out, although Donohue felt he was fortunate to get that far.

CORNWOOD beat lowly Brixham by five wickets to stay second in the table behind leaders Torquay.

Brixham were bowled out for 112 in the 39th of their 50 overs, which the Corns knocked-off in 22.3 of their own.

Take out Tom Hopper’s 39 and 22 from Mark Orchard and there was not a lot from the rest.

Once Orchard went at 97 of four it went downhill fast. Elliott Staddon (3-35) got into the Brixham top order, leaving Mo Salman (3-4) to spin out the stragglers.

Cornwood opener Aaron Richhards made a patient 39 to underpin the chase. Owen Gannon (23) and Salman (27) were the supporting acts as the runs were knocked off.

Brixham, four off the bottom, entertain Chudleigh this Saturday, another side hovering dangerously close to the relegation places.

Last time out Chudleigh were at home to mid-table Budleigh Salterton, who defeated them by 34 runs.

Openers Marc Troman (19) and Trevor Anning (58) took Budleigh up to 94 for two, the Steve Spoljaric hit 89 off 73 balls as the Otters advanced to 215 for nine.

Chudleigh spinner Rob Clarke took his haul for the season to 24 with three for 41, Saqib Hasan and Mark Heather bagged two wickets each.

Chudleigh looked down and out at 80 for six in reply with Alex Haywood (24) making the only significant score.

Mark Russell (36) and Clarke (53) revived the chase by notching 89 for the seventh wicket.

Paceman Trevor Anning (3-28) knocked over Clarke, Spoljaric (3-24) accounted for Russell and it was fast-track to 181 all out.

ABBOTSKERSWELL got over their pasting by Torquay when they administered a nine-wicket hiding on bottom side Ivybridge.

Ivybridge were bowled out for 157 with six overs to go, the last four men going for just eight runs added.

Andy Johnson (22), Kelvin Trent (21) and Josh Coker (22) got the Bridge going, but no one else made it past 18.

It didn’t help that overseas player Charles Kunje was bowled third ball by Elliott Adams (3-19). The rest of the wickets were spread round six bowlers. Sam Johnston had two of them.

James Westlake (26) and Johnston wiped off the first 79 need to win before Harry Solomon dismissed Westlake.

Left-hander Johnston kept going to hit 16 fours and four sixes in an unbeaten 99 off 59 balls as Abbots dashed to victory inside 22 overs.

In an unbroken stand of 79 for the second wicket, Nick Watkin made just seven!

AUSSIE all-rounder Steve Spoljaric made an instant impact on his return to Budleigh Salterton after an absence of seven seasons.

Budleigh won by 34 runs at relegation worriers Chudleigh and the 41-year-old was in the thick of the action.

Openers Marc Troman (19) and Trevor Anning (58) took Budleigh up to 94 for two, the Steve Spoljaric hit 89 off 73 balls as the Otters advanced to 215 for nine.

Chudleigh spinner Rob Clarke took his haul for the season to 24 with three for 41, Saqib Hasan and Mark Heather bagged two wickets each.

Chudleigh looked down and out at 80 for six in reply with Alex Haywood (24) making the only significant score.

Mark Russell (36) and Clarke (53) revived the chase by notching 89 for the seventh wicket.

Paceman Trevor Anning (3-28) knocked over Clarke, Spoljaric (3-24) accounted for Russell and it was fast-track to 181 all out.