KEVIN Nicholls reached a notable landmark for Ashburton in their seven-wicket win over Dartington & Totnes.
Nicholls stroked 50 not out as Ashes cruised past D&T’s modest total of 95 all out.
On the way to his 50 Nicholls chalked up his 5,000 first team league run for the club – quite an achievement.
Dom Durman (4-24) and Kiwi Akif Sohail (1-20) had found plenty of assistance in the pitch as D&T were reduced to 23 for four. Only Joe Parker (27) offered much resistance.
Robin Lambert (2-2) polished off the stragglers as Darts were all out with 8.2 overs to go.
Ashburton’s reply got off to the worst possible start when opener Lloyd White pulled his first ball from James Howrihane straight to Parker at square-leg.
Nicholls and Ashley Berry (19) added 37 to steady nerves then Dan Coles (14) and Nicholls added a further 42 to take Ashburton to the brink of victory.
BOVEYTracey 2ndXI are now favourites to seal the C West title and promotion to the B Division after defeating chasers Bridestowe by 39 runs.
Bovey (247pts) are 40 points clear of third-placed Bridestowe (207) and 32 ahead of second-placed Shaldon (215) with four games left.
Composed innings from Taylor Ingham-Hill (34) and Will Christophers (46) ensured Bovey got off to a solid start.
Tom Boother (4-46) was rather expensive but picked up regular wickets while Chris Lavis (1-18) and Matt Dennis (2-26) kept things tight in their spells.
Late fireworks from Sam Russell (34) propelled Bovey to 190 for nine in their 45 overs.
Bridestowe lost early wickets to Callum Stanley (2-43). James Ewen (23) was the only top-order batsman to get going.
Brandon Horn (26) had Bovey worried, but when he was caught off Jeremy Christophers (2-14) the score was 109 for seven and the chase all-but over.
Matt Dennis (24 no) and last man Boother (17) delayed the inevitable before Bridestowe were bowled out for 152.
SHALDON are up to second in the C West table courtesy of a one-wicket in an absorbing game at Kingbridge.
Kingsbridge’s total of 188 all out – Freddie Ford (70) and Andy Sutton (27) the main run getters – looked respectable but gettable from the Shaldon camp.
After an early going over from Richie Carr (5-37) and wickets here and there for Neal Peach, Bhanu De Silva and Sam Rhymes, Shaldon were 81 for seven and heading for defeat.
The game swung on a stand of 82 for the eighth wicket between opening bowlers Ryan Bougourd and Carl Woolnough.
Carr returned to have Bourgourd caught behind with the target down to 26. In a nail-biting finish, Woolnough went at 177 for nine, which left last pair Dan McKenna (16no) and Joe Hanna (1no) to get Shaldon over the line.
CHARLIE Finan announced his arrival in the Tolchards Devon League with a maiden hundred in Cornwood 2ndXI’s 136-run C West derby win over Plympton II.
Finan, who has played Premier cricket in Yorkshire with Castleford, recently moved to Devon and joined his nearest club.
Cornwood’s management will be glad he only lives a six-hit from Oak Park after watching him score 112 on his debut.
Craig Harris made 71 and with James Horgan (26) and Luke Richardson (21) both chipping in a total of 277 for eight was set.
Adam Sellick (3-45) and Jason Degg (3-34) were Plympton’s leading wicket takers.
Chris Dawe made 65 in a Plympton reply that hit the buffers at 141. Only Degg (16) and Charles O’Higgins (20) offered meaningful support.
Lee Baker, Jamie Bailey and Duncan Boase all had two wickets each for the Corns, who are now 50 points clear of the relegation places.
Plympton are one more defeat from definite relegation alongside doomed Chagford.
CHAGFORD must be resigned to D Division cricket next season after a five-wicket defeat by Lewdown left no realistic chance of staying up.
The Moorlanders are 79 points adrift at the bottom of the table with only 80 points to play for.
Tom Pengelly had three wickets and there were two each for Harry Williams, Nicj Smith and James Weeks in the 20 overs it took Lewdown to dismiss Chagford for 116.
Dave Ball (45), Adam Creasy (26) and Ed Squire (22) took care of the run chase.
