Tight at top in B Division where Abbots, Bideford and Shobrooke are fighting over two places

BIDEFORD won’t want another slip up tomorrow when they face Filleigh in the derby clash.

Second-placed Abbotskerswell defeated the leaders last time out, trimming the difference to 12 points.

“We need to play good cricket now for the last three games,” said Bideford captain Paul Heard.

Abbotskerswell play doomed Ottery, who are 58 points adrift with 60 to play for.

Charlie Hill, the Abbots captain, doesn’t want a banana skin match after doing the hard bit in the promotion race by beating Bideford.

“It's important for the guys not to get complacent against Ottery,” said Hill.

“We know what to expect from them as they will be striving for their first win.

“We just have to get the basics right and keep doing what we have been doing over the last few weeks.

“We aren't getting ahead of ourselves yet, we know we have to win all three games to guarantee promotion which won't be an easy task.”

One change from last week, Tom Heath out due to work so Paul Mitchell comes in.

Abbots finish with Tavistock (4th) and Ipplepen (5th), who aren’t out of it yet. The two sides play each other this week, which will be the end of the line for one of them.

Shobrooke Park, up to third after winning at Ipplepen, have a derby date with relegation worriers Thorverton.

Had Shobrooke not slumped after halfway they would probably be up by now.

Skipper Chris Simpson hasn’t ruled out getting ahead of Abbots – the gap is 14 points – and certainly doesn’t fear going up.

 “Promotion it is what it is, just take it game by game,” said Simpson.

“Our depth in the club isn't like the bigger clubs, but if we happen to win our last three and go up, I know we wouldn't be disgraced in the A Division.

There is talk of a few players coming back to the club if we go up.”

Seaton will feel more comfortable if they win at Barton, who are second from bottom.