Devon Cricket Board - Plymouth second despite last-day defeat

Plymouth second despite last-day defeat

A 93-run defeat at Exmouth couldn’t deny Plymouth of their best Premier Division finish for more than 25 years.
Plymouth finished a distant second behind champions Sidmouth in the final table having, repeating their runners-up spot in 1987.
The city side had not and have not finished that high before or since – and it is far cry from the dark days of 2005 and 2006 when Plymouth were a mid-table side in the B Division.
Plymouth have found results hard to come by in the last month of the season – four defeats in as many outings – but none of the sides behind them fared much better either.
Exmouth’s 189 all out – Bob Dawson making 60 with Trevor Anning (28) and Andy Buzza (27) both chipping in – proved too many for Plymouth.
Jake Luffman (43) was the only batter to get past seven on a dismal day for the batters as Plymouth were skittled out for 96 – and 27 of those were extras.
Gionne Koopman was out for a second-ball duck, but with three centuries to his name the South African was easily Plymouth’s leading run getter over the season despite a ban for dissent.
Buzza took four for 28 and there was a three-wicket haul for Matt Tarry on a rare 1st XI outing.
One of the few Plymouth highlights was a five-wicket haul for Rob Bennett (5-41) and skipper Matt Hooper said the progress made by him and Sam Stein this year was an encouraging sign for the future now Dave Burke has ‘retired’ to the 2nd XI.
“We have had a great season and we should be very proud of what we have achieved. Gionne Koopman has had a great year for us but he hasn't done it all on his own,” said Hooper.
“Sam Stein and Rob Bennett have shown they are bowlers that can take 25-plus wickets a year and fill Burkey's massive shoes if need be.
“Ben Stein and Jake Luffman have also demonstrated that they have what it takes to score runs at this level.
“I forget sometimes how young these guys are as they have been around for a few years and play with so much skill.
“It was disappointing for Hal Kerton and Harry Stephenson to have seasons that we disrupted by injury and illness,
“Hal showed flashes of what is to come and big things are expected of him next year and Harry is on the mend which is the best news.”
Hooper has been able to introduce colts John Kerridge, Dan Goodey and Joe Hagan-Burt during the campaign, which bodes well for the future.
“And the second team have had a great season as well with a whole host of other players putting pressure on the guys in the first team, notably Jack Hughes and new boy James Walsh, who have shown they can play comfortably at this level.”
Saturday’s match was the last one when Plymouth will have Mike Bell wielding the coloured pens in the scorebox.
Bell has not missed a game for seven years and Hooper said he deserved a vote of thanks for his efforts.

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