CHRIS Needham scored his second century of the season to help Ipplepen 2nd XI to a crushing 199-run win over neighbours Abbotskerswell 2nd XI in the D West derby at Two Mile Oak.

Needham took a ton off leaders Plymstock 2nd XI when the two sides met and did it again with 139 not out against Abbots in a total of 313 for six.

Along the way there was a stand between Needham and Noah Sutton (40) of 117 for the fourth wicket. Jeff Heath (17) was at the other end while 65 more was added for the fifth.

Abbots, who have only won once all season, were skittled out for 114 in reply. Harrison Vickery’s 33 batting at number nine was as good as it got.

Harry Lewis pressed his case for place in Pens’ first team with three wickets – and Warrick Green had three for 32.

This victory in the D Division West leaves Ipplepen in second, on the exact same points tally as Plymouth CSR 1st XI in third.

Abbots meanwhile are in ninth and things couldn’t be tighter at that end of the table. They are on 72 points, with Dartington and Totnes ahead of them on 73 and Barton behind them on 71. The relegation battle is sure to go right down to the wire.

Next up for this duo is a pair of home games. Pens’ could do Abbots a favour by knocking off rock-bottom Barton whereas the latter will face a mid-table Ivybridge team.

Devon Cricket League. D Division W. Abbotskerwell 2nd XI versus Ippepen 2nd XI. Abbotskerswell won the toss and elected to field allowign Ipplepen to rack uo 313 for 6. Abbots then spent 26.3 overs at the crease to make it 114 all out. Abbot's 'keeper Cooper Catley
Abbot's 'keeper Cooper Catley watches as Pen's Hugo Denman puts on the runs (Steve Pope/MDA)

Talking of Ivybridge 2nd XI and in that same division, they got back to winning ways after a three-game losing streak when they defeated lowly Barton 2nd XI by 75 runs.

Skipper Sam Northmore (74) and Phil Warwick (58) were the men of the moment for the Bridge in their 45-over tally of 231 for six. They put on 105 for the third wicket.

Owen Howard made 39 to take the total up to 218 for five.

Harry Shelton took two wickets in his second spell for three for 39 in the match. Greg Shelton, Harry’s dad, had two more for 29.

Lewis Crocker, who opened for Barton, made a top score of 56 in a reply that did not go according to plan. By the time Crocker was seventh out on 114, no one at the other end had made more than a dozen.

Bishan Kuruppu (3-34) was the initial cause of Barton’s problems. Howard (2-22) and Chris Greenhouse (2-28) got into the middle and lower order.

There may not be a more nail-biting division in all of Devon cricket than this one!