Devon Cricket Board - Allin puts skids under plucky Plympton

Allin puts skids under plucky Plympton

PLYMPTON are one more defeat away from relegation after going down by 51 runs at North Devon.
Plympton did well to hold North Devon to 191 for eight in a 46-over game after a rain-delayed start.
Jamie Lee (1-18) bowled tight at the top, Craig Donohue (1-28) was frugal in the middle and Matt Gregory had four for 36 from seven overs at the end.
Chasing was more of a problem for Plympton, who careered from 37 for two to 45 for five and on to 54 for seven.
There was some resistance from the tail – Lee and Donohue mainly –but the damage was done and Plympton were all out for 140.
With four games to go Plympton remain winless at the bottom. They are 67 points adrift with 80 to play for and their fate will be sealed if they lose to Exmouth this Saturday.
After Ryan Skinner and Lee picked off a North Devon opener each, Max Curtis (57) and Quintin Dryer (29) moved the score on to 54 for three.
Curtis kept going until he was sixth out at 179 – the second of Gregory’s four scalps.
Tom Allin chipped in 38 and Rob Ayre made 27 at one end while Gregory worked through the lower order at the other.
Plympton were soon in trouble against Allin and Ricki Kelly, who ripped out the top-order batters with the minimum of fuss.
Kelly opened up with a caught-and-bowled dismissal of Josh Mailling, then Allin (pictured) took four in a row on his way to match figures of five for 28.
Lee (33) and Donohue (34) salvaged some pride by putting on 58 for the ninth wicket.
Josh King (2-18) broke the stand at 121 and wrapped things up by removing Skinner.
Barney Huxtable, the North Devon captain, was in generous mood afterwards, handing out pats on the back to friend and foe alike.
“Max Curtis batted a proper innings on a hard batting track alongside Tom Allin and Rob Ayre who also chipped in with very important runs,” said Huxtable.
“Tom Allin showed his class by realising you didn't have to bowl fast on the wicket to get the most out of it - and picked up five wickets for not many runs.
“Ricky Kelly, who had an opportunity last week and took it, showed he's got potential at this level and bowled very well again taking two wickets.
“To be honest I was very impressed with Plympton.
“For a side up against it they threw everything at us and put us under a lot of pressure at times.
“Nice to see a side who aren't on great form still playing well as a team and they didn't give up once.”

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