TEIGNMOUTH & Shaldon look in good shape for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Braunton after thumping lowly Shobrooke Park by nine wickets, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

The manner of the divisional leaders’ win – T&S only needed 14.2 overs to knock-off the 124 needed – suggests they will be eager to beat chasers Braunton and widen what is currently just a three-point gap between them.

Chris Simpson opened the batting for Shobrooke Park and was still there on 55 not out 119 balls later. He hit eight fours and one six to help Shobrooke reach 130 for seven.

Andrew Codling (16) and Chris Ford (11) – two of Shobrooke’s oldest campaigners – were the only other batters to linger long on a rain-affected day.

A combination of poor shot selection and impressive catching by Teignmouth & Shaldon fielders was largely responsible for Shobrooke careering to 56 for seven before Ford dug in with Simpson.

A devastating spell of bowling from Afghan pace bowler Jawad Shirzad posed all sorts of problems for Shobrooke. He took two wickets in his first over and two more in the second for running figures of four for four. His final figures were four for 26 from eight overs.

Knocking-off the runs was a stroll for Teignmouth & Shaldon, whose target was reduced to 124 following a break for rain.

Ruben Minnaar flogged 81 not out from 43 balls – 12 fours, three sixes – on the way to victory. James Fulner (19) was the man out on 73, which left Seamus McKenna (20no) to partner Minnaar the rest of the way.