BUDLEIGH Salterton defeated Clyst St George by five wickets to pull away from Plymstock at the top of the B Division table.

Plymstock and Budleigh were level-pegged on 198 points each going into round 14, but not any longer. Plymstock’s defeat by Braunton allowed Budleigh to move 12 points clear at the top.

Clyst’s top-order batters struggled against Jack England (3-26) and needed reviving from an unimpressive 52 for five. Only Andrew Donovan (21) made much progress.

Chris Ferro did what he does best – hang around for over after over – to make 20 off 82 balls during a middle-order recovery worth 68 with Nathan Wells (45).

The bottom half of the order was bundled out by Budleigh’s new signing Hugh Moore, who took four wickets for one run in his second spell – three in one over – to finish with five for 33 in the match.

Luke Domaschenz, Budleigh’s in-form Aussie opener, passed 50 for the fifth time this season as the pursuit got under way. He was last out with the score on 116 for five.

Sam Whitehead (26no) and Moore (27no) took Budleigh the rest of the way.

Wiehann Meyer (3-42) and Donovan (2-38) were Clyst’s wicket takers.

Ed Doble, the Budleigh captain, said: “A top bowling performance which won us the game – and another 50 for Luke in the chase.”

Dan Kendall, Doble’s opposite number, had some similar views.

“Budleigh's seamers bowled very well up top and losing our top five in the first 12 overs cost us,” said Kendall.

“Nathan Wells batted superbly and helped us up to a fighting total. 

“Andy and Wiehann bowled incredibly well and I'm pleased we made Budleigh work for it. Ultimately, we were too many short with the bat.”