Kamunhukamwe (pictured) brutalises bowling as Cully race to victory | Shine taken off win by five-point deduction

CULLOMPTON are off the bottom of the A Division table –but not by as much as they thought –  thanks to a three-wicket win away to Bovey Tracey.

Cully remain in the bottom two but have crept past Thorverton in the fight for survival. Nineteen points from the win at Bovey took them seven points ahead. A five-point penalty for fielding an ineligible player has cut that leeway to two points.

The Parr brothers – Jason (3-45) and Brendon (2-30) – made run scoring a challenge for Bovey, who ran out of batters on 174. Only skipper Seb Ansley (40) graduated from the 20s. Reuben Stanley (29) was next best.

Cullompton got off to a racing start with openers Felix Joseph (21) and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe hoisting 78 for the first wicket inside eight overs.

Kamunhukamwe rapid 59 off 37 balls included 30 runs off the bat in an eight-ball over from Harry Mount.

Removing Kamunhukamwe did slow things down, but when he was caught at mid-off by Ansley the target was 68 to win with 37 overs to go and eight wickets in hand.

Hem Chetri (3-29) and Ollie Clifford-Bourne (3-42) ensured Cully did not have it all their own way, but Harry Everett’s 34 not out ensured this one was not going to get away.

Having gone four games without a win, it was a badly needed result for Cully.

“It was great to be back in the winner’s circle,” said Cullompton’s match summariser Dan King.

“A really strong bowling performance, especially from the Parr brothers, was backed up by some good catching in the field. 

“Batting wise, Tinashe and Felix got us off to a flyer and broke the back of the run chase. 

“Jason Parr and Harry Everett contributed down the order to bring it home.”

Bovey skipper Ansley said although the result was displeasing, the fighting spirit could not be faulted.

“I think the final scoreline flattered, but we did well to come right back into the game at the end and show a bit of fight,” said Ansley.

“We didn't score enough on a pitch that didn't really cause trouble. Again, four or five of us got starts but did not capitalise

“Tinashe took the game away early doors, combined with not bowling particularly well. Hem and Olly Clifford-Bourne brought us back into it, but it was a tall order to recover from them being 103 for one in the 12th over.”