Devon cricket season approaches a thrilling climax

Only a tiny weather improvement this week. But still lots of end of season intrigue.
Paignton did their chances of Premier Division survival the world of good with a four wicket win at Heathcoat. Heathcoat were dismissed for 127, before Paignton came home comfortably enough, inside 32 overs.
Bovey Tracey dropped into the bottom two after a four-wicket loss at Sidmouth. With Plympton winning, Bovey are now favourites for the drop alongside North Devon. The gap to safety is 13 points.
Paignton (seventh) host Bradninch and Kentisbeare (third) in week sixteen. Bovey (ninth) must beat Heathcoat (sixth) at home.
Sandford maintained their grip at the top (24 points) with a workmanlike five wicket win at Instow against North Devon.
Like so many teams this mid-August weekend, Torquay were not at full strength for their A Division trip to Kilmington. They set Kilmington a (revised) target of 165 from 48 overs, which proved too few. Despite spirited bowling and fielding, Kilmington won for the loss of eight wickets in the 41st over.
Torquay (fourth) must beat Plymouth (sixth) well at The Rec on Saturday, and hope Kilmington (at Thorverton) and Hatherleigh (at Abbotskerswell) slip up, to maintain any fading hope of promotion.
Abbotskerswell are in a three-way relegation fight after a thumping 206-run defeat at champions-elect Exeter. Sent in, Exeter quickly ran up 314 for the first wicket. Centuries for both Charles Clist (137) and Cameron Edwards (156). 387 to win was always too much and Abbots’ reply only mustered 180 all out. Five points separate the bottom three.
In B Division, Barton lost at Cullompton in a game reduced to 21 overs per side. A target of 213 to win was too much in the end. Despite Cephas Zhuwao’s 26-ball 63, which included six sixes, Barton came up short by 32 runs. Greg Shelton also hit 52 not out.
Ipplepen’s survival hopes took a backward step with an 83-run loss at lowly Sandford 2nds. They caught the, all too common, middle-order collapse bug and were dismissed for 131 when chasing 215 to win.
Barton (sixth) are back at home to play Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! (third) on Saturday. When Ipplepen (eighth) host Cullompton (fourth).
Stoke Gabriel have the champagne on ice after another comfortable win, which sees them 33 points clear in C Division West. Their 265-7 proved too much for Ashburton. More runs for the consistent Abhishek Anand (72) and Justin Pringle (92). Ashburton were 195 all out in reply, with Jack Tolley taking 4-38.
Brixham remain second after winning by 138 runs at Cornwood 2nds. Tom Hopper hit 101 not out, and Chris Lanyon 72, in their formidable 276-4. Cornwood all out for 138 in reply.
Two more defeats for both Dartington and Totnes and Babbacombe have all but condemned the two to relegation. Babbacombe lost at home to Yelverton by 60 runs and Darts by 183 runs at Kingsbridge.
Stoke are at Dartington (bottom) on Saturday as Brixham travel to Yelverton (sixth) and Babbacombe (ninth) go to Plymouth 2nds (eighth). An elusive win there might give them one last lifeline.
Teignmouth and Shaldon lead C Division East by 18 points. Their twelfth win was by four wickets at home to Exmouth 2nds. They visit third place Ottery St. Mary next.
Paignton 2nds will be champions in D Division West and South Devon should be runners-up. South Devon won by 24 runs at Barton 2nds, as Paignton were brushing aside Ivybridge 2nds with ease.
Chelston and Kingskerswell’s 123-run loss at Kenn sees them at the bottom for the first (and wrong) time of the season. South Devon will aim to inflict Paignton’s first loss when they meet in Newton Abbot on Saturday. Chelston and Kingskerswell have a must-win home tie against Plymstock 2nds.
Hear more local cricket on my radio show ‘South Devon Sports Scene.’ Broadcast every Wednesday evening from 6pm on Riviera FM (107.9FM).