BOVEY Tracey produced the shock of the day in the Premier Division with a 37-run win over long-time leaders Bradninch & Kentisbeare that moved them out of the relegation places for the first time this season.

Paignton’s defeat by Sidmouth meant they dropped into the bottom two as Bovey went past them. The last-day meeting between Bovey and Paignton definitely has relegation decider stencilled all over it now!

Bradninch & Kentisbeare will have to wait a little longer yet to be confirmed as Premier Division champions.

Gary Chappell’s side remain top of the table and still have an 18-point lead over chasers Exeter and a 26-point advantage over former champions Sandford.

Sandford are unlikely to catch B&K now, but Exeter might as the two sides meet on the final day of the season.

If Exeter win at Sandford this Saturday – and they are on the back of six successive victories and B&K slip against Exmouth, it could be winner takes-all-time at Kensham Park in two weeks’ time.

Musa Twala, Bovey Tracey’s South African overseas player, made a top score of 103 in the home side’s total of 242 for nine.

Twala put on 76 with Harry Mount (48) and batted from start to virtual finish. He was out with two balls to go.

Wickets were shared between five of the six Bradninch & Kentisbeare bowlers used. Chappell, Andrew Buzza, Mitch Pugh and Dan Hardy took two each.

Pugh, in at first wicket down for B&K, led the run chase with 82. Madawa Warnapura chipped-in 38 and at 205 for seven with 10 overs to go it was game on.

The game turned during a four-ball spell from Seb Ansley that included Hardy, Josh Farley and final Pugh going one after the other as 205 for seven became 205 all out. Ansley finished with three for 32 and there were two wickets each for Ben Kay and Twala.

Peter Bradley, the Bovey Tracey skipper, described it as the team’s ‘best performance of the season’

 “It helps when your overseas (Musa) scores a cracking 100,” said Bradley. “However, lots of the lads chipped in. 

"Harry Mount stepped-up and took the responsibility of batting at three. He counter attacked after an early loss, putting any loose balls away and pressurising n the bowler.

“In the field we were on it. No stand outs:  just effort for the whole team. 

“Boundary-saving stops prevented singles being turned into twos, which built pressure.

“Not many bad balls, good plans, no drops, some cracking catches and run outs.”

Skipper Chappell picked his words carefully in the wake of the Bovey defeat.

“Bovey fully deserved the win,” said Chappell. “They batted, bowled and fielded better than us.

“We move on to the next game still in the driving seat.”