Devon Cricket Board - Chudleigh open up 18-point lead at top

Chudleigh open up 18-point lead at top

CHUDLEIGH can see daylight at the top of the B Division table following a 68-run win over relegation worriers Axminster.
The leadership keeps changing at the top of the table as none of the five frontrunners can string two wins together.
Chudleigh knocked Ipplepen off the top seven days earlier by beating them, then followed up with the win at Axminster to open up an 18-point lead.
With four games to go it remains wide open through as there are only 26 points between the top five.
And Chudleigh’s last four games include Shobrooke Park (4^th), Thorverton (5^th) and Plymstock (2^nd) on the final day.
Skipper Ed Foreman is keen to keep feet on ground as nothing is settled yet.
“We have a really tough run of games so I'm not going to get carried away with the lead we have,” said Foreman.
“It is a lead that can disappear very easily with one bad loss.
“Our position is good but our aim for the season has not changed.
“We still want to finish in the top half. If at the end of the year we are in the top two then we will look forward to the challenge next year but there is no expectation of promotion from us.”
Veteran Mark Heather was drafted in as bowling cover, but made an important contribution with the bat towards Chudleigh’s 160 all out.
Apart from opener Dan Le Marquand’s 34, it was largely indifferent stuff from the Chudleigh batters as Nick Taylor (4-27), Gary Larcombe (2-19) and Alex Wraight – nine overs for 22 runs – bossed the game.
Heather went in at 100 for six after son Will had just been dismissed for 18 and made a valuable 41 off 48 balls.
Axminster looked to be cruising at 67 for one – Dave Murnane (24) and Matt Pile (18) going along nicely – and 81 for two wasn’t a disaster.
Will Heather nipped out Murnane having already bagged Pile, and Axminster collapsed in a heap.
Eight wickets fell for 11 runs as Will Heather (4-29) carved through the order.
Mark Heather cleaned out the last three at a run apiece as Axminster were skittled for 92.
Skipper Foreman said it was a hard-earned win, but there remains room for improvement.
“Our bowling is excellent at the moment and different people are taking wickets and winning games for us each week with is good to see,” said Foreman.
“Our batting is ok, but can improve.”

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