Yarcombe did what they had to do to maintain an outside hope of promotion out of the F Division.

They defeated visiting Shaldon by two wickets and knocked the South Devon outfit off the top of the table, but it all looks like ending in a third berth finish for Nigel Parris’s men.

Shaldon were restricted to 183-9 with Ben Fuzzard the star of the home show with the ball, taking 6-38. It then became the Jonathan Rich show as he struck a sublime unbeaten 122 to lead the hosts to a two wicket win at 184-8.

The win is not enough for Yarcombe to force their way into the top two, they must win their final game on Saturday at Newton St Cyres and then hope Shaldon fail to bank any more than six points in their last game at home to Hemyock on Saturday.

Skipper Parris said: “It’s been a great effort and the Shaldon win was particularly satisfying. The innings of Jonathan (Rich) said everything about him. He’s a very good batsmen and, as he showed on Saturday, capable of winning us a game on his own! If we can’t quite edge or way into a top two finish we’ll have to take it on the chin and come back for another go next season.”