Cullompton v Bridestowe WITH no play being possible last week due to the weather, Bridestowe travelled to unbeaten Cullompton, looking to close the gap at the top of the table. They were boosted by the return of vice-captain Sam Ewen, as well as last year's leading run scorer Jack Hatton. Bridestowe won the toss and stuck the home team in on the damp pitch. Dan Fogerty for Bridestowe (4.1-27-2) started with a leg side wide but followed it up with a great delivery which found Brenden's outside edge and was caught by Phil Hatton at slip. The great start continued as Chris Lavis (9-29-3) picked up a wicket with his first ball as Tom held a good catch at mid-on. Things got even better for the visitors as Lavis trapped Paul lbw, leaving Cullompton in trouble at 7-3 after just two overs. The new man Granfield started aggressively and, along with opener Ashplant, decided that attack was the best form of defence as the pair looked to counter with some big shots. They rode their luck and survived some big lbw shouts from both Lavis and Tom Fogerty (4-30-1) but continued to strike the ball nicely to take the score past 50 in quick time. The onslaught continued as Granfield hit a short ball from Tom over the railway line for six. Fogerty replied in style though by finding the outside edge of Granfield (43), once again caught by Phil at slip. Lavis then took his third wicket, dismissing Ashplant (28), who was caught well by James Ewen diving forward at gully. Alex Jopling (3-11-1) and Lee Jutson (5-13-2) then came and quickly cleaned up the tail for minimal runs. After a few more good catches, Jopling produced a great direct hit to run out the last man, meaning that Cullompton were all out for 115 in just 25.3 overs. Bridestowe openers Tom Fogerty and Jack Hatton started well by taking the first over of the chase for 10 runs. In the next over, Hatton smashed a drive through mid-off for four and attempted to replicate this next ball but could only manage a big nick and was well caught behind. Sam Ewen joined Tom at the crease but they were not together long as Fogerty was bowled by an accurate yorker for 18. Ewen and new man Jopling took the score to 50 before the former was done by Nicholls (5-14-3), bowled by a ball which kept a low. When Phil Hatton fell lbw, Cullompton sensed a chance of victory with the score at 52-4. Jopling, now partnered by James Ewen, played sensibly until Jopling (16) lost patience though and was bowled by Nicholls trying to find the boundary. This brought Mark Fogerty to the crease and he and James were able to survive until the tea break. The break did for James Ewen though as he was out caught behind shortly after for 11. Brother Pat played good aggressive stokes before he was also out caught after slicing the ball to backward point, taking the score to 100-7.  Dan Fogerty joined father Mark (23 not out) who was able to consistently find the boundary. The two of them comfortably took Bridestowe over the line and sealed a great victory against the team who started the day unbeaten and at the top of the table. Bridestowe (19pts) beat Cullompton (4pts) by 3 wickets. The top three of Bridestowe, Cullompton and Whimple, have near identical records after five games. n This week Bridestowe are away to Halberton and Sampford Peverell.