Congratulations to Sandford, confirmed as champions of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League Premier Division after a dominant seven-wicket win over Heathcoat on the penultimate weekend.

Jackson Thompson was electric with the ball for Sandford, taking four of the top five, and he was supported by three wickets for Dikshanshu Negi, as Heathcoat collapsed from 98-3 to 124 all out.

Negi then struck a terrific unbeaten 70, securing victory inside 26 overs, and a marvellous campaign for Sandford, who have lost only twice in 17 fixtures. The battle for runner-up could not be closer, with Bradninch & Kentisbeare, Cornwood and Sidmouth all separated by just one point.

A sorry season for North Devon CC will see them playing A Division cricket next year after picking up just three victories from 17.

Relegation was underlined with a nine-wicket loss at Paignton, although the batsman did put up a good fight. Tom Popham (72), Dan Bowser (42) and Abihsishek Batra (48) all performed nicely in a total of 208-4 for North Devon.

Unfortunately, the bowling attack were given a serious bashing by Kelly Smuts, who struck 126 runs in 81 balls for Paignton. Noah Wright also hit an unbeaten 73, with Batra claiming the only wicket for North Devon.

Bovey Tracey are also down following the 48-run loss at home to Cornwood. Bovey did a good job with the ball, limiting their visitors to 180 all out, with Ollie Clifford-Bourne taking 3-34.

The batters need to find something to give Bovey any hope of catching Plympton or Paignton on the final day, but it wasn’t to be. Daniel Green (41) was the top-scorer in a meek 132 all out for the hosts.

In the A Division, Torquay still have a squeak of finishing runners-up to champions Exeter after a proficient eight wicket win over Hatherleigh. Kilmington also won, giving themselves a nine-point cushion in second spot. Torquay need to win at relegated Clyst St. George and hope Kilmington don’t beat Plymouth at home.

Ruan Terblanche scored his fifth century of a stellar summer (110 not out) as Torquay patiently chased down their (revised) target of 236. Credit Tim Western (39) Jono Colegate (40) for ably supporting Terblanche. Who has now amassed 1118 league runs at a Bradmanesque average of 111.80!

Budleigh Salterton sadly finished bottom of the A Division.

Bridestowe are the deserved B Division champions of Devon Cricket after a phenomenal campaign for the picturesque village club on the Moors.

Promotion to the second tier was guaranteed with a 24-run win over Chudleigh in an incredibly low scoring game and Bridestowe must have feared the worst when they were bowled out for just 87, Tom Fogerty (19) and Tom Pengelly (18) the only players to reach double figures.

If the Bridestowe batting line-ups collapsed, then their Chudleigh counterparts capitulated. There were a painful six ducks in the reply, only Matt Heather (22) earning some respect for the visitors. Pengelly finished with figures of 4-12 for a jubilant Bridestowe.

It is a race between Plymstock, Bideford / Littleham / Westward Ho! and Cullompton for the final promotion place, with just five points separating the three clubs. Sandford 2nds and Seaton look like the duo going down but they do have some hope of catching Barton.

Teignmouth and Shaldon have won C Division East and Exeter 2nds have D Division East in the bag. Budleigh Salterton 2nds and Whimple are level on points with one game to go in that promotion race.

Ottery St Mary 2nds have almost confirmed promotion from E Division East alongside Bradninch & Kentisbeare 2nds and it is almost over for Sidbury, despite yet another superb win on the weekend. Sidmouth 3rds also need a minor miracle to catch Clyst St George 2nds in eighth.

Cullompton 2nds have won F Division East but there is promotion hope for Bideford / Littleham / Westward Ho! 2nds, who are just four points behind Alphington and Countess Wear 2nds but the North Devon side face the league champions on the last day.