MATT Skeemer could not put a foot wrong for Cornwood in their three-wicket win over relegation candidates Bovey Tracey.

Skeemer’s first act was taking five Bovey wickets for 39 runs as the Premier Division strugglers were held to 184 for nine.

Skeemer then opened the batting as Cornwood set off in pursuit and he lashed 71 off 50 balls – eight fours, two sixes – to take the chase to 116 for three.

Defeat leaves Bovey 32 points adrift of the safety line with eight games to go.

Peter Bradley, the Bovey skipper, said the team played some good cricket despite the result.

“It was nice to put in a decent performance against a strong team,” said Bradley.

“We were in a strong position at 150 for three with the bat with 10 overs to go when 220 would've been difficult to chase.

“With five first-team bowlers unavailable – availability is costing us at the moment – it was hard to build pressure. Ollie Clifford Bourne bowled really well.”

After Musa Twala (32) gave Bovey a solid start, the bulk of their runs came in the middle order from Lewis Hammett (48), Ed Foreman (43) and Tom Andrew (22).

Once Andrew went the final three wickets tumbled for 15 runs.

Naveen Fernando, James Richardson, Ben Privett and Elliott Staddon took a wicket each for Cornwood.

Skeemer’s demise was the first of three wickets to fall in quick succession as Cornwood hesitated to 122 for six. Chris Yabsley (2-40) and Ollie Clifford-Bourne (3-26).

Skipper Staddon (38no) took Cornwood the rest of the way.