ABBOTSKERSWELL kept their A Division survival hopes simmering away with a five-wicket win over fellow relegation worriers Tavistock.

A win at Abbotskerswell could have put more than 20 points between Tavistock and second-bottom Plymstock, who were horribly thrashed by leaders North Devon.

Instead, Tavistock (129pts) are just six points ahead of Plymstock (123) with five games left to ensure they don’t get caught.

Abbotskerswell (108pts) still have plenty to do to save themselves but are no longer the basket cases they looked a few rounds ago.

No one made more than opener Ian Gray (32) for Tavistock in an all-out total of 132. Losing wickets in batches – two on 28, two more between 88 and 90 – did not help the cause.

Next best behind Gray with the bat were veteran Steve Luffman (21) and Sean Cleave (16).

Liam Hurse (3-28) reduced Tavistock to 28 for three on his own. Par Singh (2-30), Toby Hard (2-26) and Inder Singh (2-5) ensured there was no pairing worth more than 33 in the innings.

Abbots started cautiously – Charlie Barriball (2-39) and James McGahey had them a hesitant 34 for three – but that was largely as good as it got for Tavistock.

Tom Heath settled in for a patient 50 not out from 98 balls that kept the chase on an even keel. James Tyler (20 off 48) did likewise until he was fourth out on 68.

Niall McCarthy and Jamie Lock were the supporting acts that helped Heath take Abbots to only their second league win of the season.

Meanwhile, South Devon are heading for a nail-biting final month of the season after suffering a 50-run defeat at Brixham.

The Newton Abbot side appeared to have done the hard bit by dismissing Brixham for 179, but were rolled over for 129 in return.

South Devon (134pts) are not in the bottom two at the moment but have fellow strugglers Plymouth (110) and Sandford (136) still to play.

“The results of those two games are going to be very important,” said Richard Beaumont, the South Devon captain.