Well, Clevedon won this crucial match, for such relief much thanks, but they made heavy going of it and, while they were tortuously inching towards victory, news of startling cricket recoveries were surfacing at the foot of the league table.

More of that later but let’s deal with this match first.

Downend opted to bat but their formidable line up failed to cope with a lively pitch and a fully operational attack brilliantly handled by skipper Jake Lintott.

Ace of pace Danny Williams rearranged the furniture of opener Daniel Semple for just four and shortly afterwards an astonishing catch off his own bowling by Matt Carpenter spelt curtains for Gloucestershire’s free scoring dignitary Ian Cockbain for just 25.

Young pace prodigy Cameron Harding made mincemeat of the middle order, 3 for 24, and when the hard hitting Matt Jackson made a nuisance of himself, 48 in short order, he fell victim to the master of mesmerism, Masoor Khan who closed with 3 for 6 as the tail withered.

Danny bowled his 10 overs, 2 for 28 and with Lintott taking 1 for 26 from nine overs the innings staggered to a close for just 145.

Clevedon’s know-it-all supporters on the balcony were ringing their bells as the sides came out after tea but all too soon they were wringing their hands as the inevitable top order haemorrhaging got underway. Greg Willows, Connor Crane, Harry Ellison and Cam Harding came up with next to nothing while opener Masoor Khan, on a mission, took root and used 30 overs to reach just 17.

At 78 for 5, Adnan Mufti 28 not out and skipper Lintott, 31 in no time joined forces to win the game after 42 interminable overs but it was slow going.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the table, Taunton St Andrews were beating the mighty Bath while at the same time, Cheltenham were handing Bridgwater a damn good seeing to. So, this victory for Clevedon still leaves them just one place above relegation.

It’s Devil take the hindmost from now on with the current champions very much a part of the battle to avoid the drop.

Current standings, all played 12. 1 Potterne 206 pts; 2 Bath 186; 3 Bedminster 182; 4 Bridgwater 178; 5 Cheltenham 142; 6 Downend 139; 7 Lansdown 135; 8 Clevedon 127; 9 Taunton S A 104; 1- Bristol 98.