CHUDLEIGH buried their Hatherleigh bogey in convincing style in a four-wicket win at Kate Brook.

Hatherleigh had won the previous five meetings between the sides and were keen to register another in their attempt to get out of the drop spots.

It didn’t go to plan though for Hatherleigh as they were held to 165 for eight and lost with more than two overs to go.

Hatherleigh remain in the bottom two, eight points away from safety.

Chudleigh’s fifth win in 10 starts lifts them to sixth in the standings, 24 points clear of the relegation places.

Chudleigh are moving in the right direction, but captain Ed Foreman stressed there is plenty of time for the situation to change.

“It was a great win for us against a good side,” said Foreman.

“We showed a lot of maturity on the chase which is great to see.

“All the boys chipped in with the bat, built good partnerships and made a very difficult chase look simple.

“Our league position is good for now but there are some top teams below us so we must not get complacent.

“A bad run could drag us right down into trouble so we need to stay focused and get another win under our belts as soon as possible.

“Relegation will go to the final day and we don't want to be a part of that.”

Opener Matt Thomas top scored for Hatherleigh with 57, but a promising start went into decline as 79 for one became 98 for four as Matt Heather (5-40) broke through.

Chris Jelley had 25 in a misfiring middle order, in which Ryan Davies had the only other score of note.

Rob Clarke (1-37) and Ben Holmes (0-26) bowled frugal spells to keep Hatherleigh under control.

Chudleigh made untrammelled progress to 47 for one – Foreman (36) and Mark Solway (18) the run scorers – then stumbled to 68 for three under pressure from Jack Cherrington (2-35), Thomas (1-15 off 10) and Rob Cockwill (2-12).

Heather’s 45 in a lop-sided stand of 47 with Corey Sinclair (7) got Chudleigh ahead of the clock.

Sinclair then Heather went in the space of four balls, but Sean Newland (20) and Dan Britcliffe (31no) put on 49 to kill the game.

Hatherleigh skipper Mark Lake said his side got what they deserved – and will get something else they don’t want unless results improve.

“I was very disappointed as it was a massive game and we didn't perform,” said Lake.

“We were sloppy in the field and a few under par with the bat.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to start the second half of the season.

”The next three weeks are massive in terms of our season. We need to string a run of positive results together, or it will be to late.”