Pyle (pictured) flogs a century as Exmouth rediscover winning touch | 'It was an important game to win to stay in touch with Exeter' – James Horler

EXMOUTH rediscovered their winning touch after two straight defeats with a seven-run win over Bradninch & Kentisbeare.

Victory stopped leaders Exeter extending the nine-point lead they already have over second-placed Exmouth.

Dan Pyle  thumped 113 for Exmouth towards their total of 286 for five. Pyle – eight sixes, six fours – and put on 183 for the fourth wicket with Devon captain James Horler (80) before he was dismissed by Muhammad Ismail (2-56).

Horler and Jack Dart kept going in the latter overs with Dart 32 not out at the end.

Spin was the only reliable way of keeping the runs down fort B&K with Gary Chappell, Charlie Sheen and Josh Farley all operating at less than five an over.

Bradninch & Kentisbeare had a start they did not want when opener Morgan Lamey was lbw to Cam Kidd in the second over. Kidd went on to take four for 48.

Skipper Chappell, Mitch Pugh and Jon Triner took the chase to 169 for two despite Pugh retiring hurt with a hamstring strain.

The pursuit continued with Jon Triner (44), Dan Hardy (34) and former Exmouth player Andrew Buzza (16) all contributing either side of interruptions from Kidd and Pyle (2-30).

Two overs out Bradninch & Kentisbeare needed 24 to win with Chappell on 105, Pugh (42) back after time off the field and four wickets in hand. It was a stiff target but do-able.

The turning point was Chappell being bowled by Pyle for 106 with seven balls to go.

Kidd bowled the last over – and eight-baller, which only heighted the tension – and his two wickets at a cost of 13 runs denied B&K a win.

Horler, also captaining Exmouth in the absence of Fin Marks, said: “It was an important game to win to stay in touch with Exeter.

“We batted well to get 286 – Dan Pyle really deserved his hundred – and they had a real good go at it.

“It was a case of staying in there when they batted. We did and the wickets we needed came.”

Chappell shouldered some responsibility for the result, while also complimenting Exmouth for the way they played.

“Both sides played really well and unfortunately we were on the wrong side of it this time,” said Chappell.

“I should've seen us home after doing the hard work but, as a team, we chased a big total very well. It is all if's, but's and maybe's?

“Credit to Horler and Pyle, who batted superbly, and they bowled and fielded well as a team at the death.”