Clyst batter Read (pictured) seven runs short of 1,000 this season

Sam Read - heading for 1,000 league runs this season

CLYST St George suffered a rare defeat in the D Division East when they lost by 60 runs to Chardstock.

It was St George’s third defeat of the season but is unlikely to do their promotion prospects too much harm.

Table-topping St George are 42 points ahead of fourth-placed Upottery in a division with three promotion places. If they beat second-placed Sandford this Saturday – and that’s not a banker – then the celebration planning can start.

Steve Allsopp (63) and Tom Warren (40) were Chardstock’s leading scorers in a total of 199 all out. 

Chris Ferro (3-35) and George O’Dwyer (3-39) dominated the bowling stats.

It looked like a routine assignment for Clyst while openers Ferro (34) and Sam Read (63) were compiling a 92-run stand. It wasn’t.

Read, who has clocked up 993 league runs this season, was first out to Gary Larcombe, who spun through the middle order to take five Clyst wickets for 17 runs.

Nick Taylor (2-29) and James Pyman (2-52) chipped in as Clyst lost their last six wickets for 23 runs on the way to 139 all out.

SANDFORD 2ndXI are spending another week in second place behind leaders Clyst St George after they hammered doomed Budleigh by 176 runs.

Sandford’s total of 285 for six was the product of a run glut from the front five. Adam Small (31), Tom Gidney (24), Chris Jelley (58), Tom Williams (42) and Matt Theedom (68no) all made runs. Jelley and Williams put on 106.

Joe Marley (3-51) had Small and Gidney in his bowling return.

Budleigh, already resigned to the drop, were bowled out for 109. Man of the match Jelley (4-10) and Alex Stevens (3-26) finished what Brian Leach (2-19) started.

KENTISBEARE are hovering one place and 12 points above the D East drop zone after sliding to a 104-run defeat at Upottery.

Jack Larcombe (95) and Matt Broom (91) were the main run getters in Upottery’s 264 for four.

Kents were all out for 160. No one made more than Harvey Sanderson (38) or Alex Brooks (34).

Paul Wakefield (4-24) was Upottery’s leading bowler.

Kents could drop into the bottom three if they lose the basement battle with Honiton this Saturday.

CLYST Hydon remain in the bottom three for another week following a 114-run defeat by Feniton.

After Adrian Pullin (32) and Alex Frankpitt (25) got Feniton up to 135 for four, Jack Tucker (85), Mark Russell (40) and John Buckland (32) accelerated the total to 300 for six.

Will Thornton (2-33) was the only Hydon bowler with more than one wicket.

Hydon had half their side out for 116 in reply and were not going to win it from there.

Dom Carswell (38), Sinthuran Thevaraj (29) and Fletcher Eaglesome (24) were Hydon’s main scorers in a total of 186 all out.

Tucker (3-27) bowled two good spells and there were wickets for Pullin (2-38) and Mark Russell (2-18).

HARRY Everett and James Mayes both hit half-centuries in Sampford Peverell& Tiverton’s three-wicket win over Honiton.

Skipper James Pickard hit a top score of 85 for Honiton in their total of 185 all out. Openers Dave Haysom (25) and Kevin Kelly (35) put on 52. No one else made more than five.

Ben Franks (4-54) and Tom Hatton (3-33) were SP&T’s leading bowlers.

It looked like a stroll in the park for SP&T when they were 170 for three with Everett and Mayes four runs short of a century partnership.

Pickard (3-33) had a lot to do with four wickets tumbling for 13 runs scored and SP&T were glad to get over the line with nine balls to spare.