Sandford can clinch their first Tolchards Devon Cricket League Championship for 19 years when they welcome mid-Devon rivals Tiverton Heathcoat to Creedy Park this Saturday.

Jackson Thompson's side holds a 22-point lead over Sidmouth with only two games left - Sandford travel to Cornwood (4th) on September 2 - but the champagne will be uncorked this weekend if they continue their brilliant run with a 14th successive victory over mid-table Heathcoat.

Sidmouth must win at Bradninch (3rd) and hope against hope that Sandford slip up.

Sandford had a scare last Saturday and survived it - they were bowled out for 123 by relegation battlers Plympton, but fought back to win by 29 runs, the ever-consistent Dikshanshu Negi turning things round with a nine-over spell of 7-23.

Jack Ford also took 3-22 (7.2ov).

A Sam Elstone century (117) led Sidmouth to 247 in their derby game against Exmouth, who were dismissed for 151 (Charlie Miles 4-12 off 10ov).

Current champions Bradninch picked themselves up from a defeat by Plympton to chase down Paignton's 196 and win by two wickets - they were 53-5 at one stage and had Mitchell Pugh (70) to thank for that win.

At the bottom Bovey Tracey's ninth defeat on the trot, by seven wickets at home to Heathcoat, looks like consigning them to a surprise relegation with North Devon.

North, who lost by five wickets to Cornwood, are adrift (124pts), with Bovey (147) now 15 points behind Plympton and Paignton.

Once again Bovey's top order failed and, although skipper Lewis Hammett came up with another gritty 43, a total of 186 proved easy meat for Heathcoat, who won with more than ten overs to spare (Harry Southgate 107no).

There could be a final twist in the 'A' Division promotion tail.

Exeter, who thumped Clyst St George by 140 runs, are not for catching at the top, but defeat for Kilmington and victory for Torquay means that Kilmington now lead those rivals by eleven points with two games to go.

Chasing 186 to beat Thorverton, Kilmington slipped from 108-2 to 171 all out  (Bobby Heard 6-18), while Torquay ended a run of three defeats by beating Plymouth (70ao) by eight wickets.

Kilmington travel to Tavistock and Torquay host Hatherleigh this weekend.

Bridestowe (239pts) have one hand on the B Division title - Charlie Neilson (40 and 3-13) led them to a 120-run win over Seaton that leaves them 21 points clear of Plymstock.

But Bideford, only another six points away, are still not out of it after pipping Barton in a thriller in Torquay.

Ewan Williams hit 68 in Bideford's 186 before spells of 3-17 from both James Ford and Ollie Hannam did for Barton (181) and won the game by five runs.

Despite losing to Ottery St Mary (2nd) by 55 runs, Teignmouth & Shaldon look to have the single C East promotion spot in the bag - they still lead by 18 points and travel to lowly North Devon 2nds this Saturday.

But behind D East leaders Exeter 2nds, there's a fine old scrap for second place - only nine points cover Budleigh Salterton 2nds (224), Whimple (223), Thorverton 2nds (219) and Upottery (215).    

There is also a fabulous story brewing in E Division East, where Sidbury looked certainties for relegation a few weeks, with just one win to their name in a serious struggle to adapt to the jump in level following promotion in 2022.

From that point of despair, Sidbury have rattled off three successive wins. It probably won’t be enough for survival but the latest success, a 39-run triumph at leaders Bradninch & Kentisbeare 2nds, was further evidence of their fighting spirit.

Bradninch still look odds on for promotion, with Ottery St Mary 2nds set to join them in D Division East. Sidbury still need a miracle to stay up, as do Sidmouth 3rds, but there is a lot to be said for finishing a season with confidence.