STOKE Gabriel defeated Seaton by 58 runs to grab a share of top spot in the B Division.

Bideford still top the table as they have more batting and bowling bonus points, which is used to determine who goes where when points are level.

With just two points between the top three – Seaton are the other members of the trio – the title race remains tight.

Justin Pringle was the man of the moment for Stoke Gabriel with a hefty knock of 158 in their total of 322-4.

Opener Pringle batted for three hours and 26 minutes, faced 145 balls and smashed eight sixes and 19 fours. He was dismissed by the Tim Doulton (2-60) in the final over.

Pringle put on 69 with Tyler Hunter (32), 79 with Mike Meech (26), 149 with Abhishek Anand (67) and 43 at the end with Adriaan Maxwell, who made one!

“Justin batted brilliantly,” said Stoke skipper Jack Tolley. “He took his time and accelerated his innings at the right moment taking us past 300.”

Ben Fisher (2-49) and Ben Morgan (0-40) were the most economical of the Seaton bowlers.

Stoke, two bowlers short due to the withdrawal of Isaac Withington and a warm-up injury to Liam Mair, had to work their bowling options to the full to get through 50 overs.

Pringle (0-30), Danny Duke (2-45) and Tyler Hunter (3-50) got through 30 overs between them. The latter two are seldom-used options in league cricket.

“With a depleted bowling attack, and on a flat pitch, we knew we had to play well and we did enough,” said Tolley. “Danny Duke and Tyler bowled brilliantly.”

Tristan Wakeley (52), Damian Baxter (42), Louis Adey (44), Ben Morgan (46) and skipper Doulton (32) all took turns making Stoke chase leather towards a respectable total of 264 for nine.

A target of 163 from the final 10 overs with five wickets down was never going to be a winning position.