ABBOTSKERSWELL 2nd XI were on the blunt end of a 10-wicket coshing when they encountered Yelverton at Two Mile Oak.

A five-wicket return for Josh Stevenson (5-21) coupled with two each for Matt Smale and Alistair Horler, sent Abbots tumbling to 179 all out.

Abbots had been 161 for five thanks largely to a captain’s knock of 82 from Erik Gregersen, then collapsed once Stevenson got to work. Three wickets in four balls proved their undoing.

Matt Smale had already accounted for dangerman Charlie Hill before Stevenson got stuck in.

Smale hammered out and unbeaten 109 as the lead partner in the run chase. He his 18 fours and a six during a 107-ball stay. Ackford jogged along to 54 not out.

It wasn’t any easier for the Abbotskerswell 1st XI. Their patchy form continued – just one win in the last four outings – when they lost by 25 runs at Kingsbridge.

Opener James Westlake helped himself to 73 towards Kingsbridge’s total of 176 all out. Only Felix Iles (23) made much headway after Westlake was third out on 116.

Kingsbridge’s middle and lower order faded away badly from a promising 155 for four. Alfie Harrison (2-31), Will Small (2-24), Harrison Vickery (2-22) and Jay Hussain (3-43) all dipped in for wickets each.

Abbots’ frontline batters went AWOL in the time it took slumping from 15 for none to 28 for four. Tom Heath (15) and Hussain (20) held things together for a while and Aron Owen (33) carried on the repair work.

Vickery (20) and Small (10) took Abbots in sight of an improbable win as Owen’s running mates, but it was not to be.

Richard Carr (3-16) knocked over Small then Owen to bowl out Abbots for 151.

Meanwhile, Chudleigh have now gone four games without a defeat in the C Division West after overcoming Paignton 3rd XI by 45 runs.