Devon made it three out of three to stay top of the Western Division with a three-wicket win over Cheshire at Sidmouth. But, unlike their previous wins over Shropshire and Wiltshire, this one had to be ground out and there was seldom a time on the last day when the game looked in the bag.

Opener Dave Townsend saw Devon through with a marathon knock of 53 not out, which came off 198 balls and contained just five boundaries. At one stage he went 10 overs without scoring a run as Cheshire's seamers, in particular the impressive Barny Cutbill (4-34) tied Devon down.

Devon's first task when play resumed on the third day was to knock over Cheshire's bottom half, which pacer Ian Bishop achieved with the minimum of fuss. The overnight score of 80 for six became 83 for seven when John Knibbs, dropped the ball before by David Court, blocked the the next one then watched as it rolled onto his stuumps.

Charlie Lamb obliged by finding David Lye at cover then Cutbill and John Daniels went in successive balls to give Bishop four for seven on the day and four for 16 for the innings.

Mark Richards got in another seven overs at the other end and finished with four for 25 off 18 overs – 16 of them maidens. Devon couldn't have wished for a better start as opener Dave Lye clubbed 33 off 25 balls with six fours – three of them one after the other off Simon Renshaw's first over.

Slow bowler Simon Marshall proved Lye's downfall when he tried to hit him down the ground and found Batterley at long-on instead.

Bob Dawson kept the tempo going with 21 off 23 balls, only to shoulder arms to a delivery from Cutbill which jagged back onto the stumps. Then Devon's progress slowed with Townsend watching from one end as a succession of batters came and went without making much impression on the target.

Rob Marshall took a heave at his off-spinning namesake and guided a catch to Renshaw just behind point. Matt Hunt was leg-before to Cutbill for nine and 14 runs later Devon were a wobbly 118 for five – still 56 runs short – when Roebuck steered Cutbill to Marshall at cover.

Richards decided the best way ahead was to attack and his 16 in a stand of 25 for the sixth wicket with Townsend proved crucial. Court (17) and Townsend got the target down to five and it was down to three when Jack Willow got off a pair for the match by gliding Cutbill down to fine leg seven overs after tea.

© MCCA