Whimple sit just five points shy of the E Division promotion berths after a thrilling 10-run victory over visiting Bridestowe.

Skipper Ben Silk led by example as he top scored for his side with 42 in the team’s total of 212-9 and then took five wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 202.

As well as the Silk knock there were contributions from Richard Brown (33), Kev Thompson (33) and Matt Brown (27) in the home effort.

However, despite claiming the win at stumps there was, for a long period in the post tea session, a feel of impeding defeat around the Knowle Recreation ground! That was because the visitors were 134 for just two wickets down with 20 overs remaining to stroll to victory.

It all changed when skipper Silk introduced himself to the attack as the sixth change bowler.

Silk went on to claim five wickets – all caught – and finished with figures of 5-33 from a splendid nine over shift.

Mike Searle claimed 3-32 and the other two wickets fell to Phil Hope and Paul Gillard.

Silk said: “It was a tight thing for they really were cruising to victory when things began to fall our way! I felt we were a good fifty runs shy of what we needed, so we had to bowl well to win this one. It was a very good day for us with Topsham St James inflicting a rare defeat on Babbacombe and the fat that bottom beat top underlines just how tough the division is, there really are no easy games. We are sitting in a great spot halfway, but there remains work to be done in the second half of the season.”

Next up is Saturday’s East Devon derby at Yarcombe.

Silk says: “They beat us on the opening day so we owe them one and will be looking for some pay back on Saturday.”