Devon Cricket Board - Second defeat for Plymouth

Second defeat for Plymouth

PLYMOUTH slumped to a second successive Premier Division defeat when they went down by five wickets at Paignton.
Rob Bennett’s patient half century in the middle order saved Plymouth from total collapse after they collapsed from 63 for two to 79 for six.
A total of 201 all out looked a decent total – especially when Paignton were 41 for three in reply.
But Plymouth couldn’t shift Rob Shergold, whose cautious 83 paved the way for Paignton to mark their return to the top flight after a three-year absence.
It was a close-run thing though with the result in doubt until the final ball.
Paignton skipper George Benton said he never had any qualms about winning the game, despite the tense finish.
“It was a hard-fought game, but we didn't go out not to finish with 20 points,” said Benton.
“It was a fantastic performance from the lads. Being such a young, inexperienced side we proved a big point that we aren't just a team who will rock up and expect nothing.
“The lads performed exactly how I asked and got the job done.
“Even when it got to the last ball I had no doubts about the result.
“We know there is still a lot of room for improvement but to get that first Premier win is a massive boost.
“We will go to a lot of games this year and get many more wins.”
Unhappy captain Sam Stein said: “It was very tight all the way through, however you can't expect to win a game after being 70-5.
“Rob Bennett and Hal Kerton batted superbly to put us in a much better position. They showed good responsibility with calm heads.
“I feel we bowled and fielded extremely well as a team and to take it to the last ball shows how hard we work for one another.
“We are a very close team and we aren't far away at all from registering our first win of the season.”
Plymouth lost Joe Hagan-Burt and James Toms early on, but Harry Ramsden and Mike Simmers hung around as the score crept up to 63 for two – assisted by some of the 42 wides Paignton hurled down.
George Yates then got his teeth into the middle order as four wickets fell for 16 runs. Yates came back at the end to finish with figures of six for 27.
Bennett and Hal Kerton got their heads down for the next 20 overs to put on 103.
The stand ended when Bennett was dismissed by the returning Yates.
Kerton went next for a dogged 39, which came off 64 balls and included just one boundary.
Dan Goodey chipped in with 15 as the overs trickled away.
There were wickets for Sam Stein, John Kerridge and Goodey as Paignton stumbled at the start.
Shergold went in at 41 for two after the demise of Noah Wright and his stand of 91 with Dan Wolf put Paignton in the driving seat.
Wolf went for 43 to a run out when he chanced his arm against Bennett’s and lost.
A 52-run partnership between Shergold and Chris Kelmere (21) broke the back of the chase, leaving Benton to join Shergold (9no) for the last rites.

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