A terrific all-round display from Exmouth CC earned the Maer men an important victory at Bovey Tracey to just provide some breathing space above the bottom places in the Premier Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League.

Exmouth opted to field first and had to negotiate an opening stand of 79 before a run out from Cameron Kidd broke into the Bovey line-up. Connor McCann then grabbed a couple of quick wickets and Exmouth had their hosts on the run at 98-5.

This soon became 109-7 before Bovey settled with a 106 partnership down the order, Sam Harvey and Harry Mount scoring half-centuries. Bovey closed on 223-9 from their 50 overs, with McCann and Finlay Marks taking three wickets each.

The Exmouth reply was led by Louis Morison and James Horler, who put together 119 for the opening wicket. Morison was outstanding in his work, smashing an entertaining 94 from 74 balls, including 16 boundaries.

Horler contributed with a 26 and there was an unbeaten 39 from talismanic Jason Niemand, as Exmouth comfortably reached their targets with more than eight overs to spare. The Maer men have a big game at home to Heathcoat this weekend and another win could lead them into the top six.

In the A Division, Budleigh Salterton are beginning to face up to the reality of a battle for survival, as they slipped to second from bottom with a 39-run defeat at home to Hatherleigh.

Jack England and Theo Northover removed the top order for Budleigh but their progress was halted by a determined 70 from Ryan Davies and Hatherleigh reached a total of 227 all out. Northover (4-37) was the pick of the Budleigh bowlers.

The loss of Sam Whitehead and Max Mejzner left Budleigh on 7-2, with Elliott Rice also joining them in the sheds soon after. Alex Cole (38) and Tom Oxland (58) reignited the chase for Budleigh but when they were dismissed, the home side struggled to find another partnership, finishing on 188.

Budleigh have a massive game at Abbotskerswell this weekend and a victory would see them climb out of the relegation zone. This is followed by a visit from Torquay, who are chasing down Exeter at the top of the division.