Upottery knew that they simply had to bag a big E Division points win over visiting Kentisbeare and then hope that Topsham St James did not do similar at title chasing Shaldon in order to avoid slipping down a level.

Matthew Button-Stephens hit 97 and Jason Kennard cracked an unbeaten 58 to lead the villagers to 245-5. Gary Kennard then claimed 4-31 as Kentisbeare were bowled out for 132.

So, twenty points to Upottery, but news filtered through of a similar haul for Topsham St James at Shaldon and so the Sidmouth Arms at Upottery, the base for the village cricket team, was left to contemplate life back in the basement division next season.

The final table showed Upottery finishing just one point behind Topsham St James and six fewer than Whitchurch and both sides had had two fewer games lost to the weather – a crucial factor in the final league table!

Upottery chairman Mike Kellow said: “We’ll take it on the chin, lick our wounds and look to get back up as quickly as possible.”

Upottery II were beaten by 124 runs at Kentisbeare II. Sam Bath took 2-59 in the Mid Devon sides 260-6 and then Adam Pullman hit a splendid 77 in the Upottery reply of 136 all out.