TORQUAY & Kingskerswell are the new leaders in the Tolchards DCL A Division after beating North Devon by three wickets to knock them off the top after a 10-week tenancy.

Jack Whittaker and Definate Mawadzi both made half-centuries for North Devon in their all-out total of 242.

Ben Pomare and Harry Passenger did likewise for Torquay & Kingskerswell, who recovered from a mini stumble with victory in sight to win the top-against-second tussle with nearly 10 overs to spare.

It is Torquay & Kingskerswell who hold top spot now with a 10-point lead over North Devon. Crucially, in a division with two promotion spots, third-placed Budleigh are 35 points behind the Instow outfit.

Jay Rothery (32) made early runs for North Devon, then Whittaker (77) and Mawadzi (67) went from 59 for three to 178 for four during a stand of 119.

Whittaker – 12 fours, 94 balls – was eighth out on 227 when Niall McCarthy had him caught behind.

All six Torquay & Kingskerswell bowlers took at least one wicket. Aaron Hearn, McCarthy and Rio Koyikkara claimed two.

Former Devon paceman Jack Popham (4-44) took all the wickets to fall in Torquay & Kingskerswell’s running total of 37 for three. A stand of 153 between Pomare (96) and Passenger (76) swung the game in their favour.

Rothery (3-50) broke the stand by dismissing Pomare, which was the first of four wickets to fall for 28 runs scored. Passenger to the returning Popham was another.

At 218 for seven there was work still to be done by Torquay & Kingskerswell. Dan Western (15no), aided and abetted by Koyikkara (8no) took care of it.

Jack Moore, the North Devon captain, had no issues with the result.

“Torquay & Kingskerswell were better team for longer periods,” said Moore. “Passenger and Pomare batted really well. "

“We were probably 40 short, but I can't fault our effort shown in the field.”