Seaton suffered a 63-run defeat on their visit to promotion-chasing Bideford.

Skipper Ben Morgan won the toss and asked the home side to bat first. Robbie Prior and Morgan both struck early on to reduce the home side to 40-2, and a third was taken with the total on 90 when Joel Seward held a catch off Joe Berry to see off James Ford.

However, the home side’s overseas player went on to underpin the innings with a knock of 85 and Bideford were able to close on an imposing 246-7.

It was fourth change Joel Seaward who took the bowling honours with a return of 3-29 from five overs. Joe Berry, introduced as the second change, finished with 2-53 from nine and the other two wickets were those bagged early on by Prior (1-22 from nine) and skipper Morgan (1-50 from nine).

It was another excellent innings fro teenager Josh Cann that was the bedrock of the Seaton reply. Cann junior is in a rich vein of form and his late half century – he scored 78 from the number five slot – was the best that Seaton could offer in a reply that floundered on 183-9 at the conclusion of their 45 overs.

Opener Matt Hewer, with 39, and skipper Morgan, with 21 from the number seven berth, were the other main contributors.

This Saturday (July 22), Seaton are in home action when they welcome second bottom Thorverton who struck the division’s surprise result on matchday 11 with a fine four wicket win over high-flying Tavistock.

Seaton go into the game sitting sixth, 31 points clear of the Thors.