Devon Cricket Board - Pllymouth do it by threes

Pllymouth do it by threes

DAVE Burke, Hal Kerton and Harry Ramsden took three wickets each as Plymouth defeated Paignton by 61 runs to move ahead of Exeter and out of the Premier Division bottom two.
Kerton arguably had his best game yet for Plymouth since switching from Plymstock three seasons ago as he also scored with 57 in the city side’s total of 274 for seven.
Mike Simmers run of form continued with 49 at the top of the order – which was just as well as the rest of the front four all missed out.
Plymouth were 53 for three when George Stephenson went out to join Aussie Simmers and their stand of 60 got the innings going again.
Stephenson made 46 off 55 balls before Chris Kelmere spun him out.
Simmers went soon after and at 121 for five Plymouth were rocking ever so slightly.
Kerton and Joe Hagan-Burt alleviated any worries by hoisting 93 in 14 overs for the sixth wicket.
The stand was broken when Kerton was bowled by George Yates (2-69).
Hagan-Burt batted through to the end for 59, putting on 36 with Henry Bennett (21) and 2 in the last three overs with Jamie Walsh.
Stephen George was the only Paignton bowler to go for less than four an over.
Paignton were in a similar position to Plymouth at 66 for three with veteran left-armer Dave Burke taking all the wickets to fall.
Dan Wolf (34) and Connor Bryan (27) steadied the innings with a stand of 65.
Spin proved terminal to the stand ad Ramsden dismissed Bryan and Simmers had Wolf caught behind.
Chris Kelmere got things moving again with a bright-and-breezy 42, but when he went at 189 for seven to Kerton it was downhill all the way.
Ramsden (3-52) and Kerton (3-19) polished off the stragglers without too much hassle.
Exeter’s defeat way to leaders Torquay was an added bonus for Plymouth as it opened up an eight-point gap between the two sides.
But with third-placed North Devon this Saturday, it does not get any easier for Plymouth.
Plymouth skipper Sam Stein knows there are challenges looming, but was happy to enjoy the moment after beating Paignton rather than looking too far ahead.
“We were positive all the way through our innings,” said Stein.
“Even when we lost a few quick wickets we kept playing our shots which was key.
“Mike Simmers batted very well at the top of the innings and George Stephenson batted superbly with him.
“Hal and Joe Hagan-Burt both got their first 50s for the club and thoroughly deserved them. They put us in a very good position.
“Dave Burke bowled very well as normal and Hal bowled well too.
“All round, a great team performance.”

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