Pugh grabs a 'five-fer' then Kent (pictured) and Triner see it through | 'It is great to see so many people putting their hand up to win us games' – B&K skipper Gary Chappell

BRADNINCH & Kentisbeare march on at the top of the Tolchards DCL Premier Division thanks to a three-wicket win over Sandford.

Three wins on the spin, and not dropped points so far, suggest the defending Premier champions are serious about retaining their title.

Mitch Pugh took five Sandford wickets at a cost of 45 runs as the home side were bowled out for 224 with more than seven overs to go.

Pugh’s first scalp was opener Adam Small (29), followed by dangerman Lawrence Walker (36), then Somerset’s James Theedom (16) and the ever-threatening Jackson Thompson (36) who, in a previous existence, scored a double-hundred for Bradninch back in 2013. Budleigh Salterton bowlers of a certain vintage still tremble at the mention of his name.

Top scorer for Sandford with 47 was Ryan Hunter.

The chase was not without issues for Bradninch & Kentisbeare, who were lagging behind at 87 for five with Theo Lamey gone for 30. Matt Jeacock and Kei Lalor shared four of the wickets.

The game turned B&K’s way thanks to a stand of 92 for the sixth wicket between Adam Kent (47) and Jon Trinner (37). Extras topped up the partnership.

Although Thompson (2-38) spun out Kent then Trinner, the damage was done. Josh Farley and Justin Wubbeling saw it through with a pair of 14s.

Gary Chappell, the B&K captain, said: “It was a big win over a strong side.

“It is great to see so many people putting their hand up to win us games at the moment.”

Opposite number Thompson said it wasn’t hard to see where things had gone wrong.”

“The game ebbed and flowed, but us not batting out our overs meant we were always going to struggle against a good side that bats deep,” said Thompson.