HATHERLEIGH go into the final round of matches with their Premier Division destiny in the balance after a three-wicket win over Exmouth kept them 10 points clear of the relegation places.

Win at Cornwood this Saturday and Hatherleigh will shoot over the horizon as far as relegation is concerned.

Lose at Cornwood and Hatherleigh (188pts) are left sweating on the outcome of the bottom-two showdown between Sidmouth (173) and Plymouth (178) on the Fortfield. A Sidmouth win in that game is what Hatherleigh would need if Cornwood turn them over.

Rob Cockwill, the Hatherleigh skipper, said beating Cornwood is the only way to be certain of staying up.

“Beating Exmouth was a massive win for us,” said Cockwill. “It leaves survival in our own hands, which is all we can hope for.”

Three wickets each for Charlie Presswell (3-44) and Shrey Ghosh (3-39), and three shared between Jasper Presswell (2-47) and Sean Letheren (1-33) had Exmouth all out for 193. A 53-run stand between Dan Pyle (35) and Cam Kidd (46) was topped-up by 46 not out from Pete Turnbull.

“Jasper and Sean gave us a great start under pressure from some aggressive Exmouth batting,” said Cockwill. “Charlie and Shrey were superb again, holding their nerve and picking up key wickets.”

The game was won and lost by a 72-run fourth-wicket stand between Ghosh (59) and Jasper Presswell (39).

“Our two openers Niall Leahy (15) and Ryan Quick (36) gave us a bright start in the chase,” said Cockwill.

“Shrey and Jasper had a great partnership getting us most of the way to our target.”

Lawrence Greenway’s two-for-39 return was the best of Exmouth’s bowling.

Elsewhere in the top-flight of the Devon Cricket League on Saturday, August 22, there were victories for Cornwood 1st XI, Plymouth 1st XI, Sandford 1st XI and Paignton 1st XI.

Of the five fixtures to take place, third-placed Cornwood were the only away team to prevail, as they beat fifth-placed Exeter by a whopping 99 runs, Lee Baker and Mohsin Khan claiming four wickets each.

Cornwood’s 50-over total of 202 for nine against statistically the strongest batting line-up may have looked a little sub-prime during the tea interval.

Baker and Khan proved it was more than enough by skittling Exeter for 103 with more than 21 overs unused.

“The start Mo gave us, combined with some good catching, won us the game,” said Cornwood captain Matt Skeemer. “He bowled with pace and great skills. ‘Bakes’ then did what he always does.”

Meanwhile, Hatherleigh 2nd XI’s C Division West relegation fate was sealed by a five-wicket defeat away to Brixham.

Hatherleigh needed doomed South Devon to beat fellow strugglers Paignton 2nd XI and to win themselves at Boundary Park.

Although South Devon kept their side of the ‘bargain’ – they actually won for the first time this season – Hatherleigh could not keep theirs.

Brixham bowled out Hatherleigh for 184 in the last of their 45 overs. Tim Robinson took four wickets and Mo Shaikh three more.

Adam Quick (39), Jamie Probert (33) and Jamie Nielson (22) helped Hatherleigh reach 147 for four before the decline set in.

Rob Guppy (4-44) took early Brixham wickets to leave them reeling at 18 for three. Shaik was already in by then and his 86 not out dealt with the run chase. Robinson (25) and Mark Orchard (32no) were the supporting acts.