STOKE Gabriel stayed on course for promotion from the B Division with a four-wicket win over Clyst St George.

Stoke (235pts) remain second in the table behind leaders Bideford (236) with Seaton (226) close enough in third to remain contenders. They go to Bideford this Saturday knowing they must win to remain contenders.

Rather than worry about the ifs, buts and maybes results may throw up, Stoke skipper Jack Tolley has a simple solution.

“We just need to keep winning at this point,” said Tolley. “We have only lost three times this season and are where we want to be with two games left.”

Stoke Gabriel were always favourites after bowling out Clyst for 106. Dan Kendall made 47 and Sinthuran Thevaraj 15 in what was otherwise a lacklustre batting display.

Spinner Justin Pringle was the man of the moment for Stoke Gabriel with a six for 16 set of figures. It was a new DCL best for the South African all-rounder that bettered his four for 21 against Bovey Tracey 2nd XI in 2024. Isaac Withington knocked over three more at a cost of 33 runs.

Pringle (46) and Abhishek Anand (36no) got Stoke over the line, but only after substantial interference from Clyst skipper Par Singh, whose five-for-53 bowling set made it interesting at times.

Tolley said to win with four regulars absent and Pringle carrying an injury showed the mettle of the squad.

“We bowled and fielded really well,” said Tolley.

“Clyst also bowled well on a pitch that offered good movement and I would be lying if I wasn’t panicking when the wickets started to fall. Unlike last week (Ashburton), we got over the line.

“Availability is looking better for Plympton we will keep a close eye on a couple of injuries.”

Meanwhile, Stoke Gabriel 2nd XI gave Bridestowe & Belstone 2nd XI a scare before going down to a two-wicket defeat.

Callum Mallett (4-34) took four wickets and there were two each for Andy King (2-26) and skipper Richard Drake (2-46) as Stoke were bowled out for 155.

Opener Andy Ball made 29 for Stoke, Kai Horsburgh whipped a quick 21 and Mitch Trewin, who went in at 79 for four, was the last man standing on 27 not out.

It looked like a routine pursuit when Lewdown were 144 for three in reply. Eddy Jones (26), Phil Woods (48no) and Drake (47) had all weighed in.

A three-wicket burst from Stoke seamer Chris Harrison (3-28), one for Trewin and a run-out, put a whole new slant on the game.

Lewdown went from 144 for three to 150 for six then 155 for eight before Woods nudged a single to win it.

Win number seven for the season took Bridestowe & Belstone 33 points clear of Whitchurch, who are second from bottom.