Devon Cricket Board - Diversity is the key to Plympton's progress

Diversity is the key to Plympton's progress

PLYMPTON skipper James Carr said his side’s diversity may be the key to unlocking a place in the Premier Division next season.
Lewdown were swept aside by 180 runs at Harewood House as Plympton maintained their slender seven-point lead at the top of the table.
Dan Robotham nailed an unbeaten 131 in Plympton’s total of 292 for four, then four bowlers took two wickets each as Lewdown were bowled out for 112.
Bradninch, Paignton and Budleigh Salterton all remain in hot pursuit in one of the closest A Division promotion battles for years.
Carr has said before promotion wasn’t the initial aim at the start of the season, but has warmed to the idea as the campaign has progressed.
And the manner of the win over Lewdown is one of the reasons why Carr believes Plympton can go all the way.
“We don’t have one player dominating every week, which is a lot better situation than some clubs where you see the same names in the scores every week,” said Carr.
“Wes Hartslief, our overseas, has had some good days this season but if he doesn’t it is not the end of the world.
“Dan batted really well against Lewdown and there were plenty of other people who chipped in well.
“You only have to look at our bowling figures to see that.”
Robotham’s 131 was the peg Plympton’s innings was hung from and included some fireworks as three figures approached.
“Dan went from 77 to 101 in one over from Talon Burns, hitting him for six fours,” said Carr.
Along the way for Robotham there were stands of 117 with Josh Mailling (46), 53 with Hartslief (23) and 73 with Ollie Mulberry (43).
Plympton’s total always looked out of range for Lewdown, which begged the question why did Carr go on so long.
Had Carr declared five overs early Plympton could have gone for the two bonus points available for a declaration win.
With the situation so tight at the top of the table, those points may come in useful.
“I hadn’t forgotten the last time we played them when Jack Williams hit a rapid 95 against us,” said Carr.
“If he can do it once he could do it again - and my priority was to win the game first.
“With six games to go if we win them all we will go up, declarations or not.”
Carr’s fears proved unfounded as Lewdown were all out for 112. Williams and David Ball were joint top scorers with 23.
The two-by-two wicket takers were Hartslief (2-12), Jamie Lee (2-26), Craig Donohue (2-30) and Mailling (2-4).

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773