FOUR games to go and it is wide open at the top of the A Division where Torquay, Paignton and Cornwood are battling it out for two promotion places.

Wins over leaders Torquay then Cornwood, who were right behind them, have hoisted Paignton up to second place.

Torquay (250pts) are still top with Paignton (243) hard on their heels followed by Cornwood (234).

Paginton have played both their promotion rivals twice now, but Cornwood and Torquay still a game to go, a potential grandstander on the final day of the season.

As the promotion race rounds the last bend with four games to go, all three promotion-chasing captains are a little circumspect in their outlooks.

“Torquay’s focus is on our game, that is all we can control and no point worrying about other factors,” said captain George Allen.

“We have a tough visit to Ivybridge this week and it goes without saying that in order for us to stay in contention, we need a win. 

“I am sure there’s still some twists and turns before the end of the season.

“As a team we know it's all in our hands, we win every game we go up.”

Jack Richardson and Josh Hunt return for Torquay against Ivybridge, which will strengthen both bowling and batting.

Paignton are away to mid-table Budleigh Salterton.

Skipper George Benton said of the situation at the top: “It's getting very interesting and every point is to play for.

“Thankfully, we beat the apparent top two teams, which has boosted us to second and we are aiming to carry the success into this week’s game.”

Paignton’s veteran seamer Stephen George is not fit for Budleigh so young Charlie Ward will be his replacement.

Matt Skeemer, the Cornwood captain, is well aware his side have it all to do after losing to Paignton last time out.

“After last week we probably have to win every game left this season to have a chance of going up, but that is something we are confident we can achieve,” said Skeemer.

Nathaniel Bell, who made 53 for the Corns in the defeat by Paignton, keeps his place, as does Ben Griffiths. 

At the other end of the table the big game is Bideford’s trip to Brixham.

Bideford can take a sizeable step towards ensuring their A Division future by winning at Brixham on Saturday.

A 13-run win over visiting Budleigh Salterton last time out revived Bideford’s hopes of dodging an immediate return to the B Divisions.

Bideford’s third league win of the season, coupled to defeats for Chudleigh and Ivybridge, lifted them out of the bottom two.

Bideford find themselves 11 points clear of the relegation places. If they can win at fourth-bottom Brixham this Saturday, the gap could get ever wider.

Paul Heard, Bideford’s level-headed captain, is well aware there is plenty to do yet to get above the relegation waterline and stay there.

“We will try and take what momentum we have from last week's win into this week and look to get a good result,” said Heard.

“Our cricket still has a long way to go, but results matter now not how we go about getting them 

Alex Hannam can’t make the trip to Brixham this Saturday. His replacement has not been settled on yet.

Chudleigh, one off the bottom, have a derby clash with Abbotskerswell at Kate Brook.

Abbots are not far off full strength with batters Charlie Mitch, Dickie Acton and spinner Charlie Smout-Cooper all back in the team.

Out go Noah Tobias, Grant Thompson and Ali Burt.