BRAUNTON thumped Clyst St George by 126 runs to bolster hopes of dodging the drop.

Theo Valeri marked his return to the Braunton side with a seven-wicket show as Clyst crumbled from 101 for four to 111 all out.

Plymstock’s defeat at Seaton dropped them to third from bottom, where Braunton were the previous tenants. A 20-point lead over Bovey Tracey in the second relegation slot does give Braunton a little wriggle room going forward.

Clyst may be sixth in the table of ten, but are only 20 points ahead of Bovey Tracey 2nd XI, who occupy the second relegation place.

Sam Reddick, the Braunton skipper, said: “It was so important for us to bounce back from a couple of embarrassing defeats.

“A huge three weeks are coming up, during which we will look to improve our away form.”

Braunton have not won away from Kelsey all season, which is the main reason why they have been relegation adjacent for most of it. Two of their last three games –Plympton and Ashburton – are away from home.

Reddick opened up with 31 for Braunton, which was followed by Valeri (46), Tim Smallridge and Jason Raynor (21) all weighing in.

Clyst’s Stephen King slowed the Braunton middle order with a five-for-45 return.

“Initially we were looking at a score 275-plus when we were 105-2 off 20,” said Reddick. 

Par Singh, the Clyst captain, said a mixed performance in the field proved costly.

“Restricting Braunton to 230-odd after their flying start was a credit to the bowlers,” said Singh. 

“Steven King bowled exceptionally well to claim his first ‘5fer’ for us.

“We should have restricted Braunton to less, in my opinion, but poor fielding and numerous dropped catches didn’t help. “Also, a special mention to Dan Kendall who did remarkably well stepping in to take over the gloves from Freddie Creer after a warm-up mishap. 

There was no sign of the carnage around the corner while Charlie Taylor (38) and the Clyst top order nibbled away at the deficit.

Valeri had a difficult start – 13 conceded from his first over – but he pried out Dan Kendall in his second and the ball started to roll.

Clyst were shot away in the space of 11 legal balls when Valeri (7-44) took four wickets for just one boundary and a no-ball given away. Clyst went from 101 for five to 107 for nine in a hurry.

Tail-ender Luan Mathews de Menezes was the seventh and last wicket taken by Valeri.

Said Reddick: “Every bowler played their part but the obvious standout was Theo’s 10-over spell. 

“Theo moved it both ways with excellent control. Some superb catching supported his efforts.”

Said Singh: “Overall it was a poor batting performance, one we’ve known too often this year. Unable to bat out the 50 overs on what was a good batting wicket. 

“Dan Kendall and Charlie Taylor got us off to a bright start with a 50 stand. Unfortunately, too many tame dismissals brought about our downfall.”