THE top-against bottom clash between B Division leaders Budleigh Salterton and tailenders Abbotskerswell went entirely as expected.

Abbots, long resigned to a second successive relegation, were bowled out for 132 with more than 13 overs to go. Budleigh knocked off the runs with five wickets in hand and 30 overs to spare.

Opener James Tyler top scored with 52 for Abbots, whose next-best contribution was the 33 made by tail-ender Jay Hussain.

Newcomer Hugh Moore (5-34) was influential in reducing Abbots to 23 for five. Sam Whitehead, Jack England and Ryan Cotton-Harris all took wickets that kept the pressure on.

Budleigh stumbled briefly on the chase when 57 for none became 67 for three. Luke Domachenz (20) and Luke Davies (35) were among the casualties. Max Mejzner (32) and James Doble (24) took Budleigh within sight of victory.

There were two wickets each for Abbots’ seamers Anthony Miller and Jake Fox, the latter on his elevation to the 1st XI.

Abbotskerswell will be arithmetically relegated if they lose to third-placed Plymstock this Saturday.

The 2nd XI were able to bring some positivity to the club though with Will Small and Alex Troake inspiring them to a 21-run win over Paignton 3rd XI, pushing them closer to the E West title.

One more win should be sufficient to prevent second-placed Cornwood 3rd XI from catching up.

Erik Gregersen (37) top scored for Abbots, who were grateful to Cameron Gold (32) and Troake (17) for a last-wicket stand of 65 that pushed the score up to 183 all out.

John Bewick (4-39) led Paignton’s bowling effort and then, with 23, got their own chase up to 154-6. His dismissal spelled the beginning of end, Small (3-35) and Troake (3-17) doing plenty of damage. Gold (2-17) also got in on the act.

Returning to the B Division and Ipplepen sprang a mini surprise when beating Ivybridge by two wickets.

According to the form book it should have been a home win for second-placed Ivybridge over second-bottom Ipplepen.

Ipplepen are still in the bottom two – Bovey’s win over Stoke Gabriel did them no favours – but are only six points shy of safety.

Ivybridge soon got into trouble against Ipplepen, who had them limping along at 29 for four before Adam Huxtable (43), Sam Kidd (13) and Tinashe Muchawaya (31 off 11 balls) intervened.

Arthur Johnson made 19 towards Ivybridge’s final total of 140 all out with more than 10 overs unused.

Ross Kennard (4-12) and George Tapley (2-14) took the bowling plaudits for Ipplepen.

Ipplepen got there in the end via a circuitous route that took them from 71 for three to 94 for seven before skipper Matt Beasant put them on course for victory.

Jono Colgate’s 34 up the order was instrumental in laying the platform for the chase. Pens would not have finished it without Beasant (21) and Tapley (18no) rescuing them from 94 for seven.

Muchawaya (3-17) and Harry Solomon (3-22) were the bowlers who made life hard for Ipplepen.

Beasant could see the best and the worst bits of the game when he summed it up.

“Once again, we didn't make it easy with a few soft dismissals, although, we did feel very hard done by with a couple of decisions while batting,” said Beasant.

“Really mature batting from George and Warrick Green saw us home well.

“The ever-dependable Ross Kennard was excellent with the ball again.”