BRIDESTOWE & Belstone took a huge stride towards A Division safety when they defeated Cullompton by 62 runs in the basement battle at Millaton.

Third-bottom Bridestowe & Belstone were 11 points clear of Cully going into the game, and almost certainly would have gone behind them had they lost.

Bridestowe & Belstone are not out of danger yet, but their now 23-point lead over Cullompton gives them a huge advantage in the survival stakes.

All-rounder Craig Penberthy, B&B’s match-day summariser, said the team are not home and dry yet.

“This win has hopefully made things a bit easier for ourselves,” said Penberthy.

“We know one more win will keep us in the division which each year is a minimum of what we want.”

Opener Tom Pengelly made 62 to help B&B reach 116 for four. Kian Burns (22) chipped in.

Leon Horn (31) and Tallan Burns (43) boosted the final total to 226 for eight.

Harry Everett (3-34) was the most successful Cullompton bowler, although Paul Rendall (1-31) and James Vincent (2-31) gave the B&B batters plenty to think about.

“Tom Pengelly was excellent up top and showed great patience and gave the boys in the middle a great platform to build on,” said Penberthy.

“Tallan was excellent getting us up to 227. Without him we could’ve made things a bit tougher for ourselves.”

Cully opener Everett then shone with a bat in his hand with a nuggety 58 off 97 balls as Cully’s anchorman. Worthwhile support had been thin on the ground by the time he was seventh out on 127.

Arthur Stephens (17no) and Sid Arulvendan (11) got the final total up to 166.

All six Bridestowe & Belstone bowlers took at least one wicket. Penberthy (2-21), Pengelly (2-38) and Tallan Burns (2-19) had two.

“Bowlers and fielders all contributed well yesterday with Simon Gillespie (1-24) ooking a handful with the new ball again,” said Penberthy.

“Shaq and Pengo (Pengelly) gave us good control in the middle on a wicket that was spinner friendly.”

Meanwhile, Bridestowe & Belstone 2nd XI had to overcome an attack of the jitters before clnching the two-wicket win at Stoke Gabriel 2nd XI that banished their relegation fears once and for all.

Callum Mallett (4-34) took four wickets and there were two each for Andy King (2-26) and skipper Richard Drake (2-46) as Stoke were bowled out for 155.

Opener Andy Ball made 29 for Stoke, Kai Horsburgh whipped a quick 21 and Mitch Trewin, who went in at 79 for four, was the last man standing on 27 not out.

It looked like a routine pursuit when Lewdown were 144 for three in reply. Eddy Jones (26), Phil Woods (48no) and Drake (47) had all weighed in.

A three-wicket burst from Stoke seamer Chris Harrison (3-28), one for Trewin and a run-out, put a whole new slant on the game.

Lewdown went from 144 for three to 150 for six then 155 for eight before Woods nudged a single to win it.

Win number seven for the season took Bridestowe & Belstone 33 points clear of Whitchurch, who are second from bottom.

Also in the E Division West, the Maynard brothers took all 10 wickets between them to speed Lewdown to a badly needed 112-run win over Cornwood 3rd XI.

Victory hoisted Lewdown out of the E West bottom two at the expense of Whitchurch, who are now five points behind them in the second relegation berth.

Keith Maynard’s figures were 4-20 and Matt’s 6-10, including three in four balls.

Skipper Keith said: “We were expecting a good game but not quite that!”