- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
MARNUS Labuschagne clattered a second successive century as Plymouth went top of the Premier Division following a 146-run win over Bradninch.
Plymouth totted up 263 for three in a game reduced to 46 overs a side – Labuschagne hammering 130 and former captain Callum Whittaker 58.
Rob Bennett then celebrated his inclusion in the Devon Lions side to face Oxford MCCU in a Twenty20 double header on Friday with five for 23 to set Bradinch rocking.
And with Labuschagne mopping up the tale on his way to four for 21, Bradninch were all out for 117.
Victory lifts Plymouth above Sidmouth and Bovey Tracey, who won at Cornwood, to the top of the Premier table.
Back-to-back wins are a great start to the season for the city side, but skipper Matt Hooper isn’t getting carried away.
“it is nice to be top of the league, however, we all know it is a long season and the team are going to face challenges in the upcoming weeks,” said Hooper.
After James Toms (17) and Labuschagne got Plymouth off to a 28-run start, the South African teamed up with Whittaker to put the Bradninch bowling to the sword.
Whittaker was the anchorman at one end – just four boundaries for him – while Labuschagne got on with it.
Labuschagne made 130 not out off 121 balls with 13 fours and for sixes.
After Whittaker fell to Ross Acton (2-26), breaking a stand worth 154, Harry Stephenson followed cheaply.
Jake Luffman with a breezy 28 not out off 20 balls helped tick the score over at the end.
Bennett then took four of the wickets to fall as Bradninch slumped to 18 for five.
The odd one out was forme Gloucestershire and Unicorns player Jackson Thompson, who fell to Dave Burke.
Acton (42) and Joe Webb (34) put on 72 for the sixth wicket before Labuschagne got Acton out. Two balls later Chris Acton followed his nephew back to the pavilion.
Webb was the penultimate man out, leaving Bennett to knock off last man Paul Nott.
Hooper said it was inevitable Labuschagne would hog the limelight for a second successive century, but Plymouth aren’t about to become a one-man team.
“Callum Whittaker and James laid a good platform and set it up nicely for the team,” said Hooper.
“Marnus batted with poise and maturity in conditions that he probably wouldn't have seen before.
“He was well supported by Callum who deserved his runs after grinding it out early on. Jake Luffman looked like a maturing batsman when he came in and added a flourish to the innings.”
Hooper said Labuschagne’s wickets were a bonus, but a lot of the credit for dismissing Bradninch should go to Bennett.
“The attack was really well led by Rob,” said Hooper.”He deserves his go for the Lions and I hope he shows what he can do. He bowled with pace and swing, at times he was unplayable.”