Honiton 2nds kept up their chase of league divisional honours after a terrific win at home to Barnstaple and Pilton 2nds.

Skipper Andrew lapping took his team into the contest knowing that two wins in their final two outings of the season, plus a slip-up by Upottery 2nds, and the Mountbatten Park men would be divisional champions.

Lapping won the toss and opted to bat first, but suffered an early loss. That brought Pete Beighton and Kevin Kelly together and the pair dug in during the early stages of their partnership before beginning to make headway against some tight Barum bowling. The pair added 129 when they were parted with Beighton out for 43.

A couple of wicket fell, but Kelly stuck around, putting on 45 with Craig Lapping before Kelly fell for a magnificent 112.

Lapping was there at the end of the innings, unbeaten on 27 and Honiton were able to post a most respectable score of 216-6.

After his match winning performance the previous week, Corey Lapping was again amongst the wickets, as he got good purchase out of the new ball to remove both Barum openers on his way to figures of 2-21.

Richard Hill (2-14) also played a key role to leave Barum well behind in the run chase.

Ian Kelly, not content to let brother Kevin take all the headlines from the game, then claimed four wickets for just 26 runs as the Barum reply closed on 111 all out.

Heading into the final game of the season on Saturday (September 2), Honiton 2nds trail leaders Upottery II by a dingle point.

Those final games are, for Honiton, a trip to Whimple and, for Upottery, a home meeting with Kilmington.