SKIPPER Mike Coles praised trio Chris Skidmore, Steffan Jones and Stuart Butt for their match-winning efforts against Devon Premier League leaders Bovey Tracey on Sunday.

Bridgwater posted a competitive 249-8 and took early wickets to restrict Bovey to 163 and Coles was full of praise for his players.

He said: “Chris Skidmore again led from the front and put their batters under severe pressure.

“He is crucial to our success at the moment and for someone so young he is bowling well above his years.

“Steffan stroked the ball well and got us up to a competitive target along with a great start from Merv [Hallaran] and a solid innings from Stuart Butt which took us up to what was a winning score.

“However the batters need to take some responsibility and get to a three figure score and not leave it for others.”

Hallaran (47) got the Bridgy innings off to a flyer as he bludgeoned four boundaries and three sixes.

Tom Clarke (20) and Coles (18) played supportive knocks with Butt (54) as his 83-ball half century included six boundaries to take the home side's total to 165-5.

Former Derbyshire professional Steffan Jones then clubbed a swashbuckling 64 from 38 balls to race the total to 249-8, an innings that saw five sixes and four fours.

In reply, Skidmore (3-18) dismissed both Bovey openers and the important scalp of former Devon captain Neil Hancock (21) who missed one that clattered into his stumps.

Ian Bishop (1-43) supported Skidmore well and Ed Habberfield (2-33) with Jones (3-43) took regular wickets to reduce the visitors to 126-9.

A spirited 75 not out from Carter helped Bovey to a respectable total but Bridgwater ran out comfortable winners.

The result leaves Bridgwater with a tough test at South Wilts on Sunday, July 8 in the Last 16 of the national competition.