Rain-reduced 'targets' can be a cruel way to decide a cricket match, but Sidmouth were hardly complaining after racing to an important six-wicket win over local rivals Exmouth which sees them move to within ten points of Devon League Premier Division leaders Tiverton Heathcoat.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Heathcoat beat Bovey Tracey by five wickets and second-placed Paignton saw off Exeter by 52 runs, so the top of the table now reads: P8 - Tiverton 104, Paignton 102, Sandford 98, Sidmouth 94, Exeter 80.

Sidmouth travel to Bovey Tracey this Saturday, while Exmouth, who are currently seventh in the standings host ninth-placed Hatherleigh.

Near the bottom of the A Division, Seaton fell only 16 runs short of a 242-run target against Abbotskerswell.

Sidmouth 2nds (232-5) beat Upottery (193) in the C Division East, and there was a thrilling series of games in D East. In a game of 511 runs, Sidmouth 3rds gallantly chased 258 to beat North Devon 2nds, losing by just three runs with their last pair at the crease.

Uplyme scored 237-7 and still lost by three wickets to Sampford Peverell & Tiverton in a nail-biting finish, while Clyst Hydon overhauled Chardstock's 187 with one wicket to spare.

And down in G Division, East Sidbury are up to second place after an Olly Payne century (115no) led them to 264-5 in a 116-run win over Woodbury & Newton St Cyres.

This Saturday's fixtures for local clubs include: A Division - Budleigh Salterton v Seaton, Bradninch v Tavistock; B - Thorverton v Dartington/Totnes, Bradninch v Tavistock; C East - Whimple v Upottery, Sandford II v Clyst St George, Sidmouth II v Ottery St Mary, Shobrooke Park v Exmouth II; D East - Sampford Peverell/Tiverton v Clyst Hydon, North Devon v Uplyme/Lyme Regis, Barnstaple v Sidmouth III, Chardstock v Kentisbeare, Feniton v Alphington/Countess Wear; G East - Sidbury v Shobrooke Park II.