SANDFORD'S chances of staying in the Second XI Premier Division reduced even more as they went down to a 47-run defeat against Sidmouth.

They are now 27 points adrift of safety with just five games remaining.

Brian Leach bowled superbly, taking five for 20, as the visiting league leaders were bowled out for 169.

However, the reply floundered on 122 as the only knocks of note were 29 from Nigel Ashplant and 26 from Ben Clement.

Bradninch remain in the A Division promotion hunt despite an eight-run defeat at home to Plymouth thirds.

Second-placed Plymouth cannot be promoted so Bradninch remain locked in a three-way scrap for the second promotion place.

The visitors batted first and were bowled out for 188 thanks to the efforts of veteran all-rounder Simon Bailey, who had driven from Falmouth to play for Bradninch.

Bailey finished with figures of five for 31 before teenager Matt Jarrett hit 59, Rob Acton 41 and the evergreen Andy Nicholls 23 only to be bowled out for 180.

In the B Division Shobrooke Park lost by eight wickets after being put in to bat.

The Mid Devon side were all out for 40, with no batsman making double figures. Dave Jolliffe and Mark Goodman took wickets but Chudleigh eased home.

Heathcoat won by two wickets at Axminster to remain in second place, just behind Chudleigh.

Pete Moisan claimed two for 23 as the hosts were restricted to 143 for eight and he then hit an unbeaten 27 in his side's 144 for eight, with Steve Harding making a top score of 34.

Thorverton returned from Barnstaple on the back of a winning draw in their C Division game.

The visitors amassed 201 for six, with Alan Tait (55), Matt Millward (46) and skipper Alan Birmingham (29no) making the majority of their runs.

Alistair Chilcott, Jock Spry, Jake Crouch and Tait each bagged a brace of wickets as the Cloakham Lawn side ended with eight wickets down and just nine runs short of the Thors' total.

Clyst Hydon remain in charge of their own destiny in D Division East after taking maximum points from a 157-run win over Exeter's thirds.

The bulk of Clyst's total of 273 for five came from Matt Fitt (76no) and Rich Martin (76), as well as 54 extras.

Exeter were dismissed for 116 in reply as Matthew Harris (5-57) and Matt Dowell (4-45) took all but one of the home side's wickets.

Tiverton & Bickleigh moved up into a promotion place and swapped places with Feniton as they beat the East Devon side by seven wickets.

Toby Clayton (3-35) and Richard Watson (2-8) helped bowl Feniton out for 123 and Watson then hit an unbeaten 70 to lead the side to victory.

Kentisbeare went down by six wickets at Honiton despite an excellent 75 from Stephen Reed and a brace of wickets for skipper Tom Wilkinson.

Cullompton are just 14 points short of a promotion berth in E Division East after a three-wicket win over Upottery.

The visitors were bowled out for 143, with Richard Hawkins (4-27) and Rob McManus (3-39) leading the way.

Richard Stevenson (35) and teenager Louis Farrant (23) led the Landspeed Meadow side's reply.