Devon Cricket Board - Pens cling on to slender promotion hopes

Pens cling on to slender promotion hopes

IPPLEPEN go into the derby clash with Abbotskerwell clinging on to faint promotion hopes after beating Ivybridge by four wickets.
The Pens needed a win to stay in the promotion race themselves after suffering three successive defeats – and Ivybridge needed a win to keep in touch with the top three.
It was mission accomplished for Ipplepen, who are 13 points behind second-placed Plymstock in the chase for runners-up spot behind champs in waiting Chudleigh.
Ivybridge are 23 points behind Plymstock now and need to win their last two games, against relegation candidates Axminster and Abbotskerswell, AND for Plymstock, Thorverton and Ipplepen ahead of them to slip up.
“In a crazy division the win makes safety from relegation certain, but also leaves promotion a long shot,” said Pens’ skipper Keith Wakeham.
Ivybridge were struggling at 66 for four when Kelvin Trent (20) and Harry Soloman (34) teamed-up in a stand of 49.
Miserly bowling had made runs hard to come by as Paul Thomas (9-2-17-0) and Joe Abbott (7-2-20-1) kept the score down to 21 for one after nine overs.
George Thompson made 19 not out in a 45-over total of 141 for seven, which never looked enough.
Nick Fairbank (3-37) and Jack Wylie (2-7) were Pens leading wicket takers.
Pens fared little better at first, getting to 77 for six under pressure from Jeewan de Silva (3-16).
Opener Dave Harris made 29, which meant there wasn’t much from the rest.
Joe Abbott (30no) and Seb Powell (23no) made 65 unbroken to see Pens over the finishing line with two overs to go.
“We don't do chases easily,” said skipper Wakeham.

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