Sandford are striding ahead at the top of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League Premier Division after taking advantage of a rain-affected weekend to overpower Bovey Tracey.

Jackson Thompson removed both Bovey openers cheaply before the Moorlanders settled with a stubborn 50-run partnership between Jonah Serong (21) and Ashley Causey (36). Unfortunately, the subsequent collapse was an epic, as Bovey slipped from 63-2 to 67-6.

Dikshanshu Negi and Jack Ford both took three wickets each, as Bovey closed on 102-8 from 25 overs. The weather presented Sandford with a revised target of 95 from 23 overs and they cruised over the line.

A swift 28 from 16 balls by Ciaran Gray set the tone for Sandford, with Lawrence Walker (20 no) and Albert Grieve (16 no) getting them over the line for a 25-point lead at the top.

Bradninch & Kentisbeare, Cornwood, Sidmouth and Heathcoat are separated by just seven points in the chasing pack, but a weekend that pitted these four teams against each other ended in frustration, as both matches were lost to the rain.

At the bottom of the Premier, Paignton won a key match at Plympton by 26 runs. A defiant 62 from Neil Hancock proved crucial for the South Devon side, who moved out of the bottom two with this victory.

Paignton closed on 157 all out and then rattled through the Plympton batters with ruthless efficiency. Charlie Ward and Rory Medlock shared the bulk of the wickets, with Plympton all out for 131.

While these two clubs still have genuine hope of pulling away from danger, the campaign is beginning to look bleak for North Devon, who are 16 points adrift after a three-wicket loss to Exmouth.

The result was particularly tough on North Devon, as the rain-enforced revised target worked in favour of their visitors. A terrific 78 from Abhishek Batra and Jack Moore’s 57 were the top scores in North Devon reaching a decent total of 215-8 from 40 overs.

Exmouth’s chase was reduced to 166 from 24 overs and they were in trouble when North Devon bowlers Moore and Josh Atkinson removed the top three to leave the Maer men struggling on 34-3.

A stoic 91-run partnership between Dan Pyle (66) and Finlay Marks (52 no) turned the game in Exmouth’s favour and they reached the target with three balls to spare.

North Devon welcome Heathcoat this weekend and a big test of their survival hopes, while Paignton will look to continue their revival at Cornwood. The big game at the top will see Sandford travel to Sidmouth, with the home side needing a win to reopen the title race.

The final weekend in July will take Exmouth to Sandford and Heathcoat host Cornwood, as teams continue to jostle for position before the final few weeks of another intriguing cricket season.

The A Division is measuring up to be a shoot-out between Exeter and Torquay, although Hatherleigh and Kilmington could still have a say on the promotion places.

While Exeter’s trip to Hatherleigh was abandoned due to rain, Torquay bagged a defiant three-wicket win at Budleigh Salterton, who are now set for a serious fight against relegation.

The brilliant bowling of Harry Baxendale was too much for Budleigh’s top three and he finished with figures of 3-21, only to be surpassed by an impressive 3-12 for Tom Drake. Budleigh closed on 166-9 and a fine 87 from Ruan Terblanche ensured Torquay got the victory with nine overs to spare.

Bridestowe still lead the way in the B Division, despite their game with Ipplepen being cancelled. Biedford / Littleham / Westward Ho! are heading the chase after a comfortable seven-wicket triumph over struggling Seaton.

Ewan Williams and Jody Brown both took three wickets for the North Devon outfit, with Seaton all out for 119. The rain forced another revised target, 77 required from 45 overs, and an unbeaten 25 from Oliver Hannam was easily enough for victory. BLW reached their target in less than 22 overs and for the loss of just three wickets.