Devon Cricket Board - Plymstock back up to second despite derby defeat

Plymstock back up to second despite derby defeat

PLYMSTOCK are back up to second in the B Division table despite losing by 88 runs to Ivybridge in the derby clash at Dean Cross.
For results elsewhere did Plymstock a favour and hoisted them above Shobrooke Park and Ipplepen, who both suffered heavy defeats.
Going into the last round of fixtures the top four were separated by just 11 points.
Chudleigh have stretched 18 points clear at the top thanks to their win over Axminster, but Plymstock (185), Ipplepen (183) and Shobrooke (181) are closer than ever.
And neither Thorverton (177) or Ivybridge (174) can be counted out of the running either.
“The division is clearly wide open - and for us to go up we would have to win all our final four games,” said Ivybridge skipper Gareth Andrews.
Opposite number Scott Mansfield said Plymstock have to rediscover their previous winning habit if they want to stay in the top two long enough to go up.
“That's two defeats in a row now so we've got a lot to do if we want to be in with a shout come the end,” said Mansfield.
“Three out of our remaining four games are against teams in with a shout of going up.
“Ipplepen home next followed by South Devon away and chudleigh home last game are games with have to win if we want to be playing A Division cricket next season. It's that simple.”
Andy Johnson (56) and Jeewan de Silva (51) both made half centuries in Ivybridge’s total of 250 for six.
Andrews went back to his old job of opening and made 22 in a stand of 76 with Johnson that got the Bridge up and running.
Kelvin Trent (23) put on 48 with de Silva for the third wicket,
Adam Huxtable (29) and Harry Soloman (36) got late runs.
Pick of the bowlers with two for 34 from nine overs was Nick Lowe.
Plymstock were all out for 162 in reply – and not for the first time this season it was the Ivybridge spinners who did the damage.
After Jamie Bullock got out both openers – Dom Wood and Jason Williams – Jack Horton (38) and Seb Jordan (27) move the score up to 84 for three.
Huxtable broke the stand by removing Jordan, then spinners de Silva and Soloman started doing their stuff.
Soloman took four for 37 and de Silva three for 29 as Plymstock slipped to 162 all out.
James Nicholls (22) and Matt McKay (19) put up a bit of a fight, but there was no way back after four wickets went for 20 runs added as the slide gathered pace.

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