ASHBURTON made a mockery of the B Division table with a 22-run win over Stoke Gabriel in the top-against-bottom battle on the Eastley Memorial Ground.

Tail-enders Ashburton, who have not been out of the bottom two since week three, made 235 for seven with half-centuries from Matt Churchill and Charlie Towers helping things along.

Ash Berry (31) and Steve Edmonds (38) gave Ashes a start, which Churchill (63) and Towers (53) enhanced during a fifth-wicket partnership of 125. Ten-over bowlers Jack Tolley (1-30) and Justin Pringle (3-30) kept Ashes quiet mid-innings.

Matt and Charlie Tower bagged to give us a solid total,” said Ashburton captain Lloyd White.

Table-topping Stoke, never out of the top three since week five, lost opener Pringle first ball and were 23 for two when Mike Meech went.

Tyler Hunter (79) and Abhishek Anand (64) put together a 109-run partnership that was stretched by Adriaan Maxwell (34) and Hunter going on to reach 203 for four. With 15 overs to go, six wickets in hand and 32 needed to win, it looked like a done deal.

Stoke got bogged down against the bowling of Steve Edmonds (3-9) and Matt Coon (3-25). Mike Smith’s 30-ball stay for one run was a case in point.

Stoke lost seven wickets for just 10 runs on the way to 213 all out.

Said White: “Taking seven wickets for just 10 runs will live long in the memory with Steve Edmonds and Matt Coon giving nothing away with the ball.

“Hunter and Anand batted superbly for Stoke but once we got both out we believed we had a chance.”

Ashburton are still bottom, but the 19 points between them and safety does not look so wide after this morale-booster.

“We'll keep battling until the end,” pledged White.

Stoke drop back to second in the standings as Bideford’s win over Plympton moved them up one.

Tolley, Stoke’s ‘disappointed’ captain, said: “We didn’t field, bowl or bat well enough.

“Ashburton never gave up and in the end, deserved the win.

“We know where we need to improve and will be giving everything to bounce back against Clyst St George next.”