BRAUNTON defeated fellow strugglers Abbotskerswell by four wickets at Kelsey to clamber out of the B Division bottom two.

For Abbots is was another defeat closer to relegation as they are now 24 points adrift at the bottom.

Abbots got as far as 226 for seven before they ran out of overs, which Braunton bettered with more than seven overs to go.

Veteran opener Richard Harmer (68) and skipper Ed Smout-Cooper (64) rescued Abbots from a nervy start that left them nine for two after four overs.

Luan Matthews broke the 127-run stand between Harmer and Smout Cooper – and went on to take three Abbots’ wickets for 61 runs.

James Tyler (27) and Tom Heath (28no) added odds and sods late on for Abbots.

Braunton’s prospects were in the balance at 93 for five in reply with Callum Mitchell (38) and Kyle Faber (20) among the casualties caused by Max Yates (4-44).

The innings was revived by Baglow (47no) and England over-60s’ batter Steve Aston (47) whose partnership of 103 decided the match.

Toby Codd, Abbots’ player-coach, said it was a ‘rough result to take, adding: “It felt like we played decent cricket for a fair chunk of the day.

“After getting Braunton five down we really should've put the game to bed, but Baglow and Aston showed their experience to get them over the line.”

It is a Mid-Devon heavy bottom three with Bovey 2nd XI in eighth and Ipplepen in ninth, the latter’s latest outing seeing them fall to new leaders Budleigh Salterton by one wicket.

Matt Beasant, the Ipplepen skipper, said Aussie opener Luke Domaschenz was the difference between the teams.

“Sometimes you have to accept a batter playing an incredible innings – and Luke was faultless,” said Beasant.

“We bowled both sides of the wicket in the middle overs, with too many boundary balls. You can't do that against the strongest side in the division.”