KINGSBRIDGE are up to third in the C Division West, just five points behind Alphington in second place, after winning by 67 runs at Babbacombe.

Kingsbridge were in all sorts of trouble early on against Iraq Thomas (2-35) and Tim Goodwin (4-16) as they tumbled to 19 for three, 45 for five and 68 for six.

Not for the first time this season Kingsbridge were glad of some depth in their batting as Will Pike (41) and Matt Gross (46) put on 69 for the seventh wicket.

Kingsbridge totalled 170 for nine when their overs ran out – helped by 26 for the last wicket between Elliot Bradbury and Neal Peach.

Babbacombe were 27 for two with both openers out, but made steady inroads through Thomas (22) ad Mike Pugh (28).

Kingsbridge skipper James Westlake (4-27) then took three of the next four Babbacombe wickets to leave the  home side 91 for six.

Pugh was eighth out at 103 as Bhanu DeSilva (4-34) spun out the tail-enders as Babbacombe were dismissed for 123.

Westlake said Kingsbridge put thier early problems behind them to run out winners.

“It was really pleasing to see people digging in when we lost early wickets on a very difficult batting track,” said Westlake.

“We followed that with a disciplined bowling display, hitting the right areas, eventually backed up by some good catches after spilling a couple early.”

Babbacombe are pottering along in mid-table and need something special in thre next few weeks to catch the leading group.

Having lost to Alphington last time out, Babbacombe skipper Steve Broad said history unhappily repeated itself.

“Kingsbridge had one really good partnership against us, just like the week before,” said Broad.

“We didn't match that and that lost us the game or won it for them.

“We were out played in all three departments.

“We dropped catches and were missing four key players, which I'm getting bored saying every week.”