Abbots collect win that ensures A Division survival

ABBOTSKERSWELL defeated Budleigh Salterton by four wickets to ensure both sides will be playing A Division cricket again next season.

Abbots needed a win to steer clear of a bottom two finish and from their standpoint it was mission accomplished.

Budleigh had to win to stand any chance of going into the last game of the season this Saturday against Bradninch with a chance of reaching the top two.

Defeat means the best Budleigh can hope for now is third, which means no promotion this season.

Budleigh were all out for 184 with 13 balls un-bowled, which Abbots knocked off with more than nine overs to spare.

Tari Musakanda took his league run tally to 846 for the season at an average of 76.91 with a top score of 47 for Budleigh.

Ed Doble made 22 and Tom Oxland 27. Thirty extras helped Budleigh to a third batting bonus point.

Elliott Adams (3-28) was out in front of Charlie Dowling (2-36) and Connor Adams (2-25) in the bowling beauty parade!

Abbots had a minor wobble between 49 for one and 69 for four, during which they lost Eddie Smout-Cooper (32).

Mark Gilmour (43) put Abbots back on course then Dowling (19), Nick Watkin (14no) and Alex Birt (28no) finished the task.

Abbots are 27 points clear of the drop spots with only 20 points left to play for.

Skipper Watkin said it was a relief not to be facing a last-day, must-win appointment with relegation worriers Barton.

“Delighted to get the win and preserve our A Division status,” said Watkin.

“I thought it was an excellent team performance and the best collective performance we have managed thus season. 

“An obvious key moment was Charlie Dowling taking the wicket of Musakanda. Once he was out I always felt confident we would win the game as I did not see Budleigh’s spinners having enough to trouble us during our chase.”

Joel Murphy, Budleigh’s senior player and former captain, said Gilmour's innings changed the game.

He added: “We would have liked to have gone into the last game with something to play for.'