BIDEFORD steamed to a seven-wicket win at South Devon to make it two wins in as many starts at the top of the B Division.

Martin Stewart took four for 33 as South Devon slumped from 91 for four to 121 for seven and on to 137 all out.

Take out 79 from South African batter Divan Marais and there was not a lot from the rest

Bideford lost opener Tom Brend early, but were never really troubled knocking off the runs. James Ford carried his bat for 51.

“Overall it was a another strong performance,” said skipper Paul Heard.

“We are starting to play as a unit with everyone stepping up and taking individual responsibility for performances.”

With Thoverton to play at Westward Ho! this Saturday, Bideford are joint top of the table on 40 points with Plymstock and Ivybridge.

Heard (2-9_ made a break through in the first over when he trapped South Devon opener Mark Andrews lbw, then bowled David Knowles soon after.

Marais went in at 13 for two and saw South Devon reach 136 for eight. Paul Hooper (13) and Jon Martin (19) had the only chip-ins of note.

Heard, Josh Atkinson (2-28) and Mike Lemmings (2-17) were the supporting bowlers.

Martin cleaned up Brent for a duck, but Ford and Heard (44) added 69 to take control.

Alex Hannam (19) and Ford got Bideford within 14 runs of victory, Shepherd (7no) saw them over the line.

South Devon skipper warned at the start of the season it was going to be tough for his side and two heavy defeats have underlined his point.

Very little is going right for the Newton Abbot side in any department.

“We are falling short with the bat and are very light on bowling so can't take enough wickets and keep the runs down,” said Martin.

“We are starting to realise how hard we are going to have to work, or it could be a very long season.”