Bideford skipper Paul Heard, who is looking to get the basics right against Cornwood

BIDEFORD skipper Paul Heard says his team has to get the basics right before they will start moving away from the A Division relegation zone.

A seven-wicket defeat by visiting Abbotskerswell last time out left Bideford living dangerously in the bottom half of the A Division table.

Only eight points separate Bideford from Chudleigh in the second relegation place.

It does not get any easier for Bideford this Saturday as they are away to unbeaten leaders Cornwood.

Said Heard: “On current form it looks like a tough ask to go to Cornwood and get a result, but we have to look to get back playing simple cricket.”

Oli Hannam and Atkinson are missing this Saturday, but Jamie Lathwell is back.

Chudleigh, who defeated Plympton last time out, are looking up the table now.

“I feel last week's win against Plympton was a turning point for us,” said skipper Matt Heather.

“We learned a lot last week and I think we can now start to turn our season around.”

Chudleigh host third-placed Paignton.

Cornwood are a man down as Craig Harris is unavailable. Shahzad Ahmed comes in.

Form side Abbotskerswell run into hit-and-miss Budleigh Salterton at Ottermouth.

Second-placed Torquay are away to Plympton, whose progress this season has been hindered by a failure to string wins together.

Ivybridge, winless since beating Budleigh in round two, entertain Brixham in a basement battle.

The Bridge lost at Torquay last time out where, according to skipper Harry Solomon, they were outplayed in every department.

Significantly, Soloman said: “We need to apply ourselves with the bat better.”

Brixham won at Bideford two weeks ago to move out of the bottom two and are still there despite losing to Paignton last week.

Skipper Mark Orchard said there has been an improvement since the first weeks of the season when Brixham lost three on the trot.

“We need to stick together as a team,” said Orchard.

“Everyone needs to carry on battling as we've done so far this year.

“With a bit of luck and confidence, I'm sure a few wins will follow.”