PREMIER pacesetters Sandford sidestepped a potential banana skin at Bovey Tracey, where they eventually defeated their lowly opponents by just one wicket.
It was a familiar story for Bovey as they were bowled out for just 146.
Jake Pascoe (22) and Ed Foreman (23) worked hard for runs while the ball was new.
Sandford skipper Jackson Thompson opened the bowling with his flighted spin bowling and finished with three Bovey wickets for 15 runs from 10 overs sent down. Aryan Lakra (2-36) was next best.
Bovey got little or no change out of Matt Jeacock (10-3-24-1).
Sandford lost opener Harrison Jones cheaply, but at 90-1, with Adam Small (42) and Lawrence Walker (35) set, appeared in control.
Ollie Clifford-Bourne’s left-arm spin accounted for Small then Walker three runs apart and once the slide started there was no stopping it.
If Clifford-Bourne (3-41) did not get them, Pete Bradley (3-21) did as Sandford spiralled to 123-7 then 142-9.
The one wicket that Bovey could not take soon enough belonged to Tom Maidment, whose cautious 22 off 44 balls got the target down to six runs.
Thompson (17no) and last man Matt Jeacock (1no) got the job done early in the 44th over.
Lewis Hammett, standing in for injured Bovey skipper Toby Codd, said it was a ‘great game to be part of’ despite the result.
Hammett added that despite ‘not getting enough runs’ Bovey made Sandford sweat over the outcome.
“Sandford bowled well and consistently on a bowler-friendly wicket, but Sam Harvey batted positively and gave us a chance.”
Bovey’s 2nd XI suffered a similar fate, falling to Bideford in B Division.
Bideford were glad of a watchful 36 at the top of the order from James Ford, helping them reach 101 for three.
Ewan Williams partnered Ford for 78 of those runs and put on a further 76 with Julian Hayter (44) as the total climbed.
Ollie Briddock (2-26) accounted for Williams 13 runs short of a ton, but that didn’t slow the scoring for long.
Jim Keates (22) and acting captain Alex Hannam (29) put on 43 towards a 45-over total of 247 for seven.
Braydon Pink (3-38) was Bovey’s leading wicket-taker. Chris Yabsley (9-1-27-1) was the most economical operator.
Bovey were soon on the back foot at 14 for two with both openers removed by man-of-the-match Williams (3-28).
Sam Robbins (34) and Tom Andrew (74) restructured and at 109 for three it was game back on.
The game was won and lost during the time Bovey dipped from 152 for four to 161 for seven with Andrew among the casualties. Williams got him with the first ball of his second spell.
Jody Brown (4-27) got stuck into the lower order as Bovey faded to 181 all out.