IPPLEPEN 1st XI won for the first time in four outings when they defeated Braunton by three wickets.

It was a much-needed win for the Pens as it moved them out of the B Division bottom two going into the second half of the season.

With only five points between the bottom three, Pens don’t have much wiggle room. And that makes this Saturday’s derby clash with tailender Abbotskerswell hugely important.

Braunton were all out for 151 at Ipplepen, which represented a decent turnaround from 29 for three.

Aussie Aidan Phillips (3-21) and home-grown George Tapley (2-23) did the damage with the ball for Pens.

Theo Valeri (47) started the Braunton fightback, which was taken to the next level by Jon Baglow (21) and Dan Brierley (49).

Ash Harvey and Warrick Green claimed a couple of wickets each in the clear-out at the end.

Phillips (47) got Pens away to a Le Mans start with 47 of the first 65 in the book, to the visible irritation of Braunton’s opening bowler Valeri.

Bits and pieces got Pens within striking distance of the target, despite challenging bowling from Callum Mitchell (4-26). Gareth Penrice (29) effectively sealed the deal.

Matt Beasant, the Ipplepen captain, said it was difficult to know whom to praise first.

“Aidan and George were excellent up top with the ball again,” said Beasant.

Aidan got us off to a flyer but a middle order collapse made it harder than it should have been. Mitchell and Baglow bowled very well for Braunton.

“Gareth Penrice batted brilliantly. It was a shame for him to get out as he deserved to finish it off.

BOVEY Tracey 2nd XI meanwhile lost in a hurry at Budleigh Salterton by a seven-wicket margin.

There were more than nine overs to go when Bovey were bowled out for 165 by a combination of Jack England (4-42), Ed Doble (3-14) and Ryan Harris-Cotton (2-16).

Bovey were 65 for five at one stage – only Ryan Jones (30) made much headway – and were grateful to Brad Causey (30), Dan Green (26) and Charlie Hill (32) for getting as far as they did.

Budleigh didn’t hang about knocking off the runs. It was job done midway through the 24th over.

Luke Domaschenz (40) started the pursuit, which was closed out by Max Mejzner (56no) and Sam Whitehead (20no) with an unbroken stand of 50.

Spinner Sam Veal (2-29) was Bovey’s primary wicket taker.

Budleigh are 13 points behind leaders Plymstock and 21 ahead of third-placed Clyst.

Green, the Bovey captain, was succinct in his summing up.

“We probably needed to score 250-plus, but just did not bat well enough,” said Green.