Feniton gave their hopes of avoiding a bottom three finish, and with it relegation out of C Division East, a big boost as they recorded a 78-run win over already ‘doomed’ Clyst Hydon.

Batting first, Feniton got a 96-run start courtesy of openers Mark Kingdon (64) and Graham Tucker (28). Alex Frankpitt (53) and Chris May (25) also chipped in as Feniton closed on an impressive closing total of 280-7.

They were also helped by Clyst Hydon bowling no fewer than 39 wides in a total of extras that was an eye-catching 75!

In their reply, the visitors lost a couple of early wickets as Jack Tucker claimed the first thanks to a Matthew Davies catch and then Tucker held a catch off the bowling of Jon French and Clyst then slipped to 94-5 before being bowled out for 202 in 40.2 overs.

Skipper Jon Pyle finished with 3-24 from 4.2 overs and opening seamer Jon French’s return was 3-39 from a full stint of nine overs while fellow opener Jack Tucker’s figures were 2-43 from nine.

Skipper Pyle said: “It was a good track and I thought a total of 230-240 was par, so to close on 280 was a job well done by the batsmen.

“That said, we were helped by that huge total of extras!”

As for the bowling effort from his team, Pyle said: “It was a good all-round shift and, in the context of our season, the win was both much needed and crucial. Now we have given ourselves a chance and it looks as if that game with Braunton on the second last Saturday of the season is ‘the one’.

“We need to make sure we stay close to them before that game and make sure we do the business that day.”

With four games to play and 80 points at stake, Feniton still sit in a bottom three berth, but they are now just 11 points behind Braunton, who they meet on the penultimate match day of the season. This Saturday (August 11) Feniton travel to Ottery St Mary.

They will be without Chris May for the game at Ottery as May has football commitments with Ilminster Town.