TAVISTOCK missed the chance to move out of the A-Division relegation zone when they trailed by five wickets in the battle for top spot against Abbotskerswell.

A win at Abbotskerswell could have put more than 20 points between Tavistock and top-placed Plymstock, who were terribly beaten by leaders North Devon.

Instead, Tavistock (129 points) are just six points ahead of Plymstock (123) with five games left to ensure they are not overtaken.

Abbotskerswell (108 points) still has a lot to do to save itself, but is now showing signs of life and fighting spirit.

Charlie Barriball, the Tavistock captain, is not afraid of panic yet.

“Luckily for us Abbotskerswell are still a long way off,” Barriball said. “We need to get ourselves together and get a few wins between now and the end of the season.”

No one made more than opener Ian Gray (32) for Tavistock in a total of 132. Losing wickets in batches – two for 28, another two between 88 and 90 – did not help matters.

The next best players after Gray with the bat were the experienced Steve Luffman (21) and Sean Cleave (16).

Liam Hurse (3-28) single-handedly reduced Tavistock to 28 for three, with Par Singh (2-30), Toby Hard (2-26) and Inder Singh (2-5) ensuring that no pair was worth more than 33 runs in the innings.

Abbots started cautiously – Charlie Barriball (2-39) and James McGahey scored a tentative 34 for three – but that was largely the best it could get for Tavistock.

Tom Heath put in a patient 50 not out from 98 balls that kept the chase in balance. James Tyler (20 off 48) did the same until he was fourth out on 68.

Niall McCarthy and Jamie Lock were the supporting figures who helped Heath lead Abbots to only their second league win of the season.

Meanwhile, Tavistock 2nd XI ended an eight-match wait for victory in the E Division East with a six-wicket win over Teignmouth & Shaldon.

Bonus points have kept Tavistock clear of the relegation spots so far and ensure they remain safely in mid-table despite their poor run.

Teignmouth struggled to score from the start against Dylan Rundle (2-20), Jack Bellamy (1-18) and Marc Lewis (2-13). Chris Partridge (18) was the only batsman to make much progress.

The lower order collapsed to 88 all out as Ryan Burke (3-26) and Jon Procter (2-8) bowled them out. Extras (19) outscored any individual batsman in a total of 88 all out.

Tavistock’s chase was kept up by Lewis, who made it 2-1 in the second over and was still on 51 runs not out at the end.

Ben Russell (14) and Andy Gauler (11no) contributed to the chase.

Ross Abraham (2-36) and Kelli Ashington (2-17) were T&S’ wicket-taking bowlers.