C DIVISION 2nd XI
IPPLEPEN were installed at the top of the C Division 2nd XI table after they took a winning draw off long-time leaders Ottery St Mary in their quest for a league double.
In form Lee Curtis bashed 55 from 32 balls putting on 83 with Steve Harris (36), but once he fell wickets tumbled as Pens got to 192 for nine at tea. Zac Johns claimed 4-51.
The Otters only scored 25 in the first 22 overs of the 40-over match as Keith Bell and Paul Thomas tied them down with 10 maidens between them.
When skipper Gavin Iley went he had faced 75 balls for 25 runs.
Alan Boon and Steve Bowden picked up wickets at regular intervals as Otters stumbled to 97-for nine, with Alex Thurgate top scoring with 32.leaving Pens four points ahead at the top with two games to go.
Pens’ skipper Simon Tapley said: "Iwas a bit worried at tea we didn't have enough but whilst Thomas and bell bowled very well I was surprised Ottery didn't have a dip.
“We are desperate to emulate our first team, who became D Division champs two weeks ago, and now it’s back in our hands.”
Ottery were hanging on at stumps at 97-9 The other game was at Axminster II where the Cloakham Lawn side banked 15 points from a winning draw at home to Cornwood III but it looks as if their late bid to beat the drop is going to fail as they remain 31 points from safety with just 40 to play for.
Gary Larcombe (58), Robbie Prior (56) and Sean Perry (28) were the main scorers for the home side in a total of 211-7.
Fran Adams took 4-30 for the visitors who closed on 80-8 with Nick Taylor taking 3-11 from eleven splendid overs and Max Felgate bagged excellent figures of 2-13 from seven overs.
There was no action at Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough II where Thorverton II were the visitors, or at Clyst Hydon II where Barnstaple were the schedule visitors and also no play at Ivybridge II where Clyst St George II were due to play.