Budleigh Salterton had Paignton on the rack, but lacked the killer instinct and saw a winning position become a 77-run defeat in their latest Tolchards League A Division outing, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Kevin Renecke (33) and George Benton (48) got Paignton up to 93 for four before Budleigh got on top with the ball.

Three wickets for Phil Anning (3-25) slowed Paignton and at 127 for seven they were in a hole.

Justin Mann (63) and Stephen George (27) dug Paignton out of trouble by putting on 96 unbroken for the eighth wicket in a total of 223 for seven. It was a stand that came back to haunt Budleigh.

Budleigh got to 106 for three with Trevor Anning (23), Steve Booth (24) and Phil Anning (27) all chipping in.

When Phil Anning was spun out by Chris Kelmere – he took four for eight in 52 overs – Budleigh went into a terminal decline.

George (2-17) got in on the act as well as Budleigh lost six wickets for 21 runs on their way to 146 all out.

Budleigh Salterton stayed clear of the relegation places by 12 points, but with only two wins so far are clearly in jeopardy.

Budleigh Salterton are at home to second-placed Torquay this Saturday afternoon.

? Budleigh Salterton II salvaged what they could from a 125-run defeat by Exeter II at Ottermouth

Tom Richardson belted 115 for Exeter in their tally of 347 for five.

Richardson shared stands of 212 for the second wicket with Mike Wilkinson (67) and 50 with Charlie Kidson, who went on to make 66 not out, 50 of which came in boundaries.

Joe Marley’s nine overs bowled for 37 runs conceded stood out in the Budleigh stats.

Budleigh started badly with opener Greg Evans bowled in the first over by Nick Horne (3-32).

Surviving opener Neil Murrin (28) and Donovan Robinson (62) got the score up to 99 for two and from then on it was a case of gaining as many bonus points as possible. Luke Jefferson (23) and Chris Battin (22) did their bit to get Budleigh to 222 for six and maximum batting points.

On Saturday, Budleigh 2nds, who sit second bottom, in one of the three relegation berths at the one-third stage of the season, travel to face fourth bottom Braunton 2nds, who will start the day 14 points better off than the Ottermouth men.