YELVERTON Bohemians did all of the promotion chasers a favour when they beat Torquay & Kingskerswell by 44 runs.

No one is going to stop long-time leaders Chagford (258pts) from winning the division now. But any of T&K (212), Plymstock (210), Ivybridge (201), and maybe Yelverton (199), could place second.

As Ivybridge finish with Plymstock (H), Yelverton (H) and Ipplepen (A), they have two chances to knock the opposition out of the running. None of the other contenders play each other.

David Ackford (50) and Geoff Brain (57) scored half-centuries, and there was a near miss for Rob Grove (48), in Yelverton’s 240 for six at Torquay. Spinners Toby Delahunty (3.44) and Rio Koyikkara (3.78) had the most control of the T&K bowlers.

Mike Pugh’s patient 76 not out – 10 fours, lots of dots – and Koyikkara’s 41 – were not quite enough to drape a chase on.

Three wickets for Hadleigh Scott-Kirk (3-14) and Michael Marais (3-24) helped limit the Seasiders to 196 for nine in reply.

Also in the D Division West, Tavistock 2nd XI lost by four wickets to Plymstock 2nd XI in a high-scoring affair and Chagford moved 42 points clear at the summit after defeating Abbotskerswell 2nd XI with ease.

Meanwhile, Bridestowe & Belstone remain in relegation orbit at the wrong end of the A Division after they lost by 141 runs to promotion hopefuls Heathcoat.

Defeat leaves Bridestowe & Belstone one place and 11 points ahead of Cullompton in the second relegation place. The two sides meet at Millaton this Saturday in a must-win encounter for both of them.

Devon seamer Craig Penberthy (2-38), on his comeback after a month out due to a hand injury, and Shaq Glasgow (2-37) were B&B’s wicket-taking bowlers as Heathcoat posted a strong total of 236.

Bridestowe’s batting was dismantled by opening bowler Matt Knight, whose 6-44 haul largely reduced them to 46-8.

B&B skipper Tallan Burns was the last man standing on 37no when the final wicket fell on 95.