LLOYD White went through 400 league runs for the season with a second century of the campaign in Ashburton’s win over Stokeinteighead.
White, who took a ton off South Brent two weeks ago, top scored with 122 in Ashes’ total of 244 for seven.
The former Budleigh Salterton captain hit 19 fours and laid a solid foundation for Ashes with a stand of 156 with co-opener Martin Causey (67).
White was second out to Mike Lang, whose three for 35 was Stoke’s best bowling return.
Stokeinteignhead, who played a man short, were all out for 86 in reply.
Dom Durman (3-19) had Stoke in all sorts of early problems, before Lang (21) and Chris Saunders (26) stabilized from 11 for four.
Saunders kept going to the end, but with George Marshall (2-20) and Matt Churchill (2-2) working well he ran out of people to bat with in the 28th over as Stoke were dismissed for 86.
Victory moves Ashburton within a point of leaders Shaldon, who lost by 43 runs on the chase to third-placed Yelverton.
Yelverton recovered from an iffy start that saw them 18 for three – Ross Aitchison (2-16) and Ryan Bougourd (2-28) – to make 232 all out.
Skipper Richard West (47) set the tone for the comeback then Pete Lojszczyk
(60) and Hadleigh Scott Kirk (58) moved it along further.
Stands of 109 – Lojszczy and West – then 74 between Scott-Kirk and Geoff Brain (19) took Yelverton past 200.
Kevin Haycock (3-22) got among the wickets in the last 10 overs for Shaldon.
Shaldon lost Karl Blackburn and Todd Ballman cheaply to Lojszczy (3-33), the lost wickets steadily, mostly to West (5-37).
Shaldon were 92 for eight when West bowled Andy Lockyer and heading for an early finish.
Tail-enders Carl Woolnough – 50 off 38 balls with 10 fours – Ross Abraham (17no) and Aitchison (22) hoisted 97 for the last two wickets to earn the batting bonus points that kept Shaldon top of the table.
Having had a run of crushing wins inspired by Ryan Bougroud, Shaldon were due a setback,
Skipper Mark Couch said he wasn’t unduly concerned by one defeat.
“It was great to play a competitive game of cricket when both teams were up for it,” said Couch.
Fair play to their skipper (West) and overseas (Lojszczy) who dug them out of a hole and built an innings, something we couldn't do.
“Lack of time in the middle in recent weeks showed and no matter how much netting you do it's not the same.
“We are still top at half way and in good shape for second half of season.”
Kenn, parading former Bovey Tracey seamer Ollie Thomas for the first time, handed out a 120-run hiding to Exwick.
Falk Koekker was the man of the moment for Kenn with 104 not out in a total of 232 for eight.
James Gosling made 36 and skipper James Mason chipped in with 33 down the order.
Ross Pascoe (4-62) had wickets for Exwick after Dan Machin (2-26) and Mike D’Agostino (1-31) had contained well early on.
Exwick had too much to do after slumping to 17 for four – Thomas (3-40) making an instant impact.
Greg Newcombe (26) and Todd Dove (38) made Kenn work for the middle-order wickets, but with Pete Chislett (4-23) on song it was all for at 112 for Exwick.
Ed Kirby took four wickets and Ross Treleaven three to speed Topsham St James to a 129-run win over Newton St Cyres.
Mark Phillips helped himself to a quickfire 108 – nine fours, nine sixes and 58 balls – as St Jmaes made 198 for five in 24 rain-reduced overs. Callum Treleaven had 40 at the top of the order.
Pick of the bowlers for St Cyres with four for 31 was Martin Pearce.
Leighton Deyman (27) was the only St Cyres batsman to make more than eight as Kirby (4-7), Ross Treleaven (3-19) and Phillips (2-16) shot them out for 69.
New boys South Brent won for the first time this term when they beat Buckland Monachorum by 34 runs.
Dave Lewis (63) and Richard Saunter (42) were Brent’s main run makers in their 154 all out. Steve Mannell (4-16) was the pick of the bowlers.
The Moorlanders dipped from 55 for two to 77 for six under pressure from Pete Glen (3-18) and one behind the clock couldn’t catch up.
Paul Edwards (34) and Mike Pike (24) were the main scorers in a 36-over total of 120 for eight.
