Devon Cricket Board - Plympton extend lead at the top

Plympton extend lead at the top

PLYMPTON boosted their promotion prospects in the A Division with a 164-run win over Abbotskerwell that keeps them top of the shop.
Dan Robotham made a top score of 62 as Plympton totted up 242 for eight.
Then Wes Hartslief and Ross Farrer took three wicket each as Abbots were skittled out for 78.
With the sides behind them all beating each other on a regular basis, Plympton are now 21 points clear of Paignton at the top.
Promotion was never an set-in-stone goal for Plympton this season, but the prospect doesn’t worry them either.
“A number of us have Premier experience from out previous time in the Premier and we are keen to go up if we can,” said skipper James Carr.
“We aren’t that far ahead of the rest and there is a lot left to do.
“Our next three games – Budleigh, Lewdown and Hatherleigh – will be crucial to our chances.”
Robotham and Andy Walter (27) notched 77 for Plympton’s second wicket then Craig Miles (31) joined Robotham to add another 63 for the fourth.
Wes Hartslief chipped in with 31 as the Abbots’ bowlers flagged.
Pick of the bowlers with three for 44 was Hugo Whitlock.
Abbots’ target was slimmed down to 204 to win in 42 overs after a break for rain, but after collapsing to 43 for four in reply they were out of it.
Toby Codd’s 23 was as good as it got for Abbots as Hartslief (3-21), Farrer (3-18) and Craig Donohue (2-11) shot them out.
“We batted sensibly in partnerships to build a platform for a score that was well over par on a 175 track,” said Carr.
“A disciplined bowling and fielding performance got the job done.”
Abbots’ skipper Richard Acton said the defeat and the manner of it should serve as a warning to the team they could end up in trouble if they stop applying themselves.
“Once again our batting let us down,” said Acton.
“All the guys are disappointed with the way we collapsed and we know we have to improve very quickly, otherwise we will drift away at the bottom of the table.
“Plympton batted well on a seaming wicket and never let us settle when they bowled.
“I would say Plympton are the most complete team we've played this season – and I am backing them to get promoted.
“As a team we've got a lot to work on before Paignton this Saturday.
“The spirit in the team is still high and it will only take one win to turn everything around.”

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