Axminster continued their superb recent form as they registered win number six of the B Division season, claiming a single wicket success at Barnstaple and Pilton.

Barum batted first and closed on 207-8. The pick of the Axminster bowlers was Dave Field who picked up four wickets for 54 runs whilst Gary Larcombe bagged a brace for 32 runs.

The successful run chase was led by a splendid knock of 62 by Michael Wakeley whilst the best of the rest came from the bat of the in-form Joel Seward who struck a sweet 66. David Murnane chipped in with 31, but the heroes at the end were last pair who edged the Axemen over the winning line.

Whisper it quietly, but a campaign that began with a target of humble mid-table security could actually end in promotion to the second tier of Francis Clark Devon league cricket!

That particular scenario might have seem highly unlikely a month ago, but a run of victories has pushed Tristan Wakeley’s side to within21 points of second placed Thorverton.

On Saturday they are again on their travels and once more driving up the North Devon Link Road to third placed Bideford.

A seventh win of the campaign would cement Axminster place amongst the promotion contenders.

After the second successive North Devon trip the Axemen will meet third bottom Braunton at Cloakham Lawns, then they travel to fourth placed Ivybridge before a final away game, at all-but-relegated, basement side Stoke Gabriel on August 23 and they bring the curtain down on what may yet prove to be a glorious campaign with an August 30, Cloakham Lawn meeting with the side who currently sit above them, Plymstock.