BOVEY Tracey remain on course for a top four finish in the DCL A Division following a 29-run win over visiting Kilmington.

Opener Harry Mount survived a first-ball scare when Kilmington dropped him to make a top score of 93 in Bovey’s tally of 238 for five.

Along the way for Mount there were partnerships of 51 with Jake Pascoe (32) and 141 with Slade van Staden (63).

Ben Fuzzard’s two for 25 from nine overs stood out in the Kilmington bowling stats.

Kilmington suffered the worst possible start when consistent run-getter Tom Gooding was dismissed two balls in by Bovey skipper Seb Ansley.

Joel Seward, Kilmington’s most patient run getter, made 80 off 130 balls as the chase ticked over. Only when he got with nine overs to go and 86 needed from the last five pairs did Bovey become favourites.

Ansley (4-40) and Will Christophers (3-35) took the last five wickets between them for 46 runs as Kilmington faded away for 209. Connor Trott (35), who put on 71 with Seward, was one of the five.

Ansley, the Bovey captain, started pats on the back with a word or two about Mount.

“Harry, following on from 40 against Plympton last week, batted really positively and took it to the bowlers despite the first-ball scare,” said Ansley.

“I still felt we may be a little short – and it was a shame to not get the 250 – but credit to Kilmington’s boundary riders for saving at 20-30 runs.

“Joel batted well, but we were able to keep them behind the rate throughout. That allowed Will Christophers to take crucial wickets in the middle overs, proving his worth to us every game he is available.”

Meanwhile, Ipplepen enhanced their survival chances in the B Division with a three-wicket win in the basement tussle against Bovey Tracey 2nd XI.

Although Ipplepen are still in the bottom two, they are only four points behind Bovey, the side they have to pass to reach safety.

Sam Veal (42), Brad Causey (45) and Reuben Stanley with 47 against one of his former clubs were the main run scorers for Bovey in a total of 208 for eight.

Stanley rescued Bovey from a perilous 90 for six after Bovey ran into difficulties against Noah Rider (3-40) and Ross Kennard (2-27).

Ipplepen knocked off the runs with five overs to spare after chase of twists and turns. Having got to 93 for one with runs from Marcus Gadie (30), Mawgan Penrice (18) and Aiden Phillips (31), Pens slowed to 102 for four. Dan Green (3-22) did the damage.

Rider (32) steadied the chase, then Sam Wakeham (27no) and Kennard (27no) finished it off.

Matt Beasant, the winning captain, said it was ‘not a flawless performance’ but that did not matter.

“I can't fault the determination and attitude of every single player from start to finish,” said Beasant.

“It was a real team performance with everyone contributing in one way or another.

I was very proud of the way we stuck together as a team and let our cricket do the talking.”

Bovey skipper Green said: “Hopefully losing a good game of cricket won’t affect us staying up.

“Ipplepen showed their worth and we didn't score enough runs – again!

“We know what we need to do and I am backing us to do that.”