Devon Cricket Board - Plymouth clamber out of bottom two

Plymouth clamber out of bottom two

PLYMOUTH are out of the bottom two in the Premier Division thanks to a 23-run win over visiting Heathcoat.
Ben Stein hit a top score of 69 as Plymouth made 224 all out in the last of their 50 overs.
There were three wickets each for Matt Hague and Jamie Drew.
Heathcoat were 150 for five at the 35-over mark – and still had South African pro Bradley Barnes in the middle.
Wickets tumbled to Harry Ramsden (3-40) – Barnes the big one in the context of the game – and Heathcoat were all out for 201 with exactly seven overs to go.
It was only Plymouth’s third league win of a trying season, but they timed it well.
Fellow strugglers Exeter came a cropper against Sidmouth and the combination of the two results mean Plymouth have moved nine points clear of their big city rivals, who replace them in the bottom two.
Plymouth openers James Toms and Jamie Walsh both dipped out to Hague in the first six overs, but a stand of 57 between Mike Simmers (40) and Ramsden (15) moved the score to 74 for three.
Simmers and Ramsden went in the space of seven balls and when Hal Kerton went for duck to Hague it was 78 for five.
Stein and Joe Hagan-Burt, restored to the 1st XI after a ton in the second team, took control of the bowling with a stand of 95 for the sixth wicket.
Stein went first – victim number two for Drew – but Hagan-Burt kept going.
Hagan-Burt finished undefeated on 45 having put on cameos of 14 with Rob Bennett, 16 with Dave Burke and 17 with last man Sam Stein.
Those cameos all added up when Heathcoat were chasing.
Heathcoat made an unspectacular start after tea as they were 65 for four after 18 overs with skipper Sam Smith just out for 3.
Chris Small – the Aussie who took a double ton off Plymstock 2nd XI two weeks ago – has been cleared to play by the league in the same side as Barnes – got on top of the bowling on the way to a top score of 64.
Breaking the stand between Small and Barnes was crucial for Plymouth – and Sam Stein did it by trapping Small lbw at 147.
Barnes went at 192 for seven and despite the best efforts of Lee Dixon to win it with the tail-enders, Ramsden ran through them.
Dixon was 22 not out when Hague was run out by Dave Burke to finish the match.
Plymouth have top two Torquay and North Devon in the next three weeks as the season tips into part two.
Skipper Stein said if Plymouth continue to play the same way they can start climbing the table.
“We didn't start too well, but Harry Ramsden and Mike Simmers put on a solid partnership then Ben (Stein) and Joe Hagan-Burt batted superbly, rotating the strike and hitting putting the bad balls away,” said Stein.
Joe played a very mature innings for a young lad and Ben did what we all know he's capable of doing.
“We had a little bit of lower-order hitting, which helped us get to a reasonable total.
“As a team we bowled well and showed what we are about.
“We are looking forward to the upcoming games, hoping this is our turning point in the season.”
Heathcoat vice-captain Toby Lochead said Heathcoat offered the game on a plate to Plymouth and got what they deserved.
“We had Plymouth 70 for four at drinks and allowed them to get 224 by fielding poorly and not bowling to the fields,” said Lockhead.
“Ben Stein did bat well, but dropping him three times didn't help.
“We were confident of chasing the target, but lost early wickets through poor shots.
“Needing 45 off 11 overs with five wickets in hand, against a side that is in a relegation battle, we gave ourselves a chance.
“We should not be losing a game when we are in that position.
“Plymouth didn't win the game, we lost it.”

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