Hatherleigh skipper Mark Lake (fielding at slip) who wants to keep his team focussed for the promotion run-in<br>credit: https://www.ppauk.com/photo/2001636/

BRADNINCH captain Eliot Acton would be happier as a frontrunner not a chaser as the A Division promotion race rounds the final bend.

With two games to go it is wide open at the top where Cornwood (259pts), Hatherleigh (256), Bradninch (246) and Budleigh (240) are battling it out for two promotion places.

Cornwood’s second successive defeat – this time it was Tavistock who defeated them – has put a new light on the promotion race.

Budleigh’s loss to Hatherleigh allowed Bradninch to move past them by beating Abbotskerswell by 40 runs, but as the Ninch play Budleigh on the last day of the season the situation remains fluid.

Acton, the Bradninch captain, has been consistent in the view that his side have more to do than anyone to get promoted and that’s not changed.

“We know we have to win the next two games to have any chance of going up,” said Acton

“Although he pressure is all on Cornwood and Hatherleigh not to slip-up, I would much rather be in their position.”

Bradninch host form side Tavistock tomorrow. Acton said Tavistock’s recent form suggest they will be handful.

“Tavistock Seem to have a few good young players and they beat us last time. 

Star all-rounder – Budleigh's Tari Musakanda“We definitely owe them one although I except us to be a different proposition this time around as we were well under strength before.”

Budleigh Salterton, who visit Abbotskerswell, have some catching up to do after their setback against Hatherleigh.

Skipper Lloyd Murrin remains upbeat as he knows it could all come down to the last-day date with Bradninch.

“Promotion hopes very much alive and we will be putting everything into a difficult trip away the week,” said Murrin.

“We are looking to bounce back after an under-par performance with hopes of still getting promoted.”

Abbots are only seven points ahead of the drop spots, which means they have their own reasons for winning the game.

Nick Watkin, the Abbots’ captain, said muting Zimbabwean all-rounder Tari Musakanda is one of the challenges of the game.

“Clearly, Budleigh have an exceptional overseas player in Musakanda who tops both Budleigh's runs (799) and wickets (28) stats,” said Watkin.

“It would appear when he fires, which is often Budleigh, tend to win. We just have to concentrate on our own performance and hope that he has a day when Musakanda doesn't fire!”

Budleigh are three short on Saturday, which means calls for Nick Boult, Luke Jefferson and in-form second team opener Steve Booth, who will be making his debut.

Abbots’ team news is Mark Gilmour comes in for Dan Cowdry. 

Hatherleigh could go top in the A Division if they win at Bideford and long time leaders Cornwood lost to Ivybridge.

Hatherleigh are on a roll right now having clocked up five wins on the spin on the way up behind Cornwood.

Cornwood’s lead has been trimmed down to three points by two defeats – and they won’t be relishing their meeting with Ivybridge.

Ivybridge may be propping up the table but only three teams have beaten Cornwood this season and the Bridge are one of them.

Mark Lake, Hatherleigh’s level-headed captain, said: “It is business and usual for us and we won’t be taking anything for granted.

‘We will be as focused for these last two weeks ends as the previous five."

As Rob Cockwill is away, Simon Gillespie comes into the Hatherleigh side.

Bideford’s priority is getting out of the relegation places after a 128-run defeat at Plympton put them back in the bottom two.

Staying up means taking as many points as possible off Hatherleigh then in-form Tavistock on the final day.

Skipper Paul Heard said there can be no ambiguity about Bideford’s situation.

“We have two opportunities to stand up and do the job,” said Heard. “The objective is very simple, but two good sides stand in our way.”

Elsewhere in the A Division, Plympton (who are safe) entertain Barton (who aren’t).