BIDEFORD sprung a mini-shock in the B Division when they defeated promotion chasers Budleigh Salterton by six wickets.

Second-placed Budleigh have not been far from the top of the table since week three – and Bideford have been bumping along the bottom for most of the season.

Bideford do have ‘form’ against Budleigh – they beat them on the opening day this season – and they did it again without too many difficulties.

Budleigh remain second from top, but Bideford moved two places up the rankings and out of the drop spots.

Budleigh made 176 for seven in a game slimmed down to 35 overs a side due to bad weather.

Opener Luke Domaschenz batted through for an unbeaten 73 and there were notable contributions from Will Oxland (25) and Max Mejzner (33).

Jack Ford and Lukanyo Metu had two wickets each for Bideford. Budleigh batters were kept quiet by Julian Hayter (0-10) during a seven-over spell.

Tom Brend opened-up for Bideford and had 84 next to his name by the time he was last out on 165 for four. Josh King (20) made runs early; Metu (26no) put on 59 with Brend to put the game beyond doubt.

Skipper Ford said the result was ‘much needed” and the manner of it augured well for the second half of the season.

“Other than a few moments while fielding, it was an almost faultless performance,” said Ford.

“Julian and Josh King’s opening spells were brilliant for setting the tone for our bowling innings. How they went wicket-less, I have no idea!

“Tom Brend’s innings to pretty much get us over the line was one of the better knocks I've seen. It was just what we have been needing – and missing – in the past few weeks.”

[O] BRAUNTON’S home game against Clyst St George was a weather victim.