SO as expected it has all come down to the final weekend of League fixtures.

Having won both games last weekend both teams know that if they win their last game of the season then the First Eleven will maintain its Premier league status and the Second Eleven will gain promotion to the C Division.

The First Eleven will make the trip to Exmouth knowing that even if they don’t win they must aim for five bonus points and their safety is guaranteed.

The Second Eleven are home to one of the sides that could deny them promotion so again they know that even if they don’t win as long as they pick up a maximum of eight points they will definitely go up.

Restricting Sampford Peverell to less than maximum points would mean that even eight won’t be needed. Good to know how the situation lies but I’m sure both teams will be aiming to finish the season with victories so that the party can get back into full swing on Saturday evening in the Clubhouse.

With Torquay and North Devon both losing again last weekend the First Eleven did themselves a power of good by beating last year’s champions, Sidmouth.

Winning the toss and electing to bat there were useful contributions of 54 by Ryan Glass, 36 from Sandy Allen and 31 from Charles Fitzroy.

Apparently the wicket was not its normal batting paradise and the final score of 190 all out was seen by some of those watching as a very reasonable total.

Apart from Devon skipper Alex Barrow, who scored 95, no other Sidmouth batsman got settled and with a wicket taken nearly every 10 runs scored, the visitors were dismissed for 144.

Jamie Palmer took three for 25, Chris Jelley three for 33 and Richard Foan two for 29. Although not taking a wicket Harrison Jones had a superb spell of eight overs at the beginning of the innings for only 15 runs.

There will be a lot of interest on the game being played at Instow but let’s all hope that the victory can be secured at Exmouth leaving no doubts about the team’s survival.

The Second Eleven need to just concentrate on the events at Creedy Park. Having lost earlier in the season to Sampford Peverell there will be a great desire to seek out revenge and secure their place in the C Division.

On a difficult wicket at Upottery Sandford reached 193 for eight. Tom Gidney top scored with 49 and he was backed up by Pete Steer scoring 31 and Brian Leach once again supporting the tail as he contributed 27.

Upottery were always in the game but eventually fell short by 23 runs as Neil Maud took three for 33 and Ben Clement three for 36.

Let’s hope that both teams are fielding their strongest teams this weekend and the results lead to much celebration.

It would have been so much easier for the Second Eleven if they had got that additional bonus point against Feniton and if the League had not penalised the side for playing a 14-year-old registered with another club but these are the rules and both sides have the chance to show that they are able to produce a standard of cricket to match the leagues they wish to play in next season.

Fixtures this weekend at Creedy Park: Tomorrow, Saturday, August 31: Second Eleven v Sampford Peverell and Halberton, start 1.30pm.

Sunday, September 1: First Eleven v North Molton, start 1.30pm.

Mike Canning