Devon Cricket Board - Plympton triumph in low-scoring affair

Plympton triumph in low-scoring affair

PLYMPTON pulled off a surprise win over Hatherleigh to move away from the bottom of the A Division.

The surprise was that 82 was a winning total for Plympton, who then shot Hatherleigh out for 60 in reply.

Defeat would have dropped Plympton into the bottom two, but victory keeps them ahead of Hatherleigh, who occupy the second drop spot.

With Andy Walter (23), Josh Mailling (22) and Wes Hatslief (24) all among the runs, Plympton cruised to 53 for one with Christian Bunny the only casualty.

Then the wheel fell off as Hatherleight captain Mark Lake (5-10) and former Devon O50s’ captain Nick Rogers (4-27) scythed through the batting.

Hatherleigh had to bat before tea and promptly slumped from 23 for none to 36 for seven in reply!

Hartslief (3-15), Jamie Lee (2-3) and acting captain Craig Donohue (2-8) were all among the wickets.

Ryan Skinner ripped out Ian Cockwill after the break and from then on it was downhill all the way to 60 all out.

For Donohue, who was standing in for James Carr, it was an interesting start to captaincy.

“We were 53 for one, 78 for five and 82 all out – which was carnage,” said Donohue.

“The ball wasn’t doing all sorts and there was not a lot wrong with the wicket – we just found ways of getting out and, if I am honest, Rogers and Lake did bowl well.

“Between innings you would not have said we were favouties – and then they collapsed to 36 for seven.

“We had just got Chris Jelley out and that was a big wicket as far as we were concerned.

“Out we went after tea to discover the pitch had dried out and flattened a bit, so we needed an early wicket. Ryan got it.”

Hatherleigh captain Mark Lake said his side were on the wrong end of three decisions which could have gone their way, but that couldn’t be used as an excuse.

“We should be able to chase such a small total, but as I have said before our batting is woeful at the moment,” said Lake.

“The pitch was slow and low, but not a wicket to be bowled out chasing 80.

“After fielding and bowling really well I'm still not sure how we managed to lose after being 23 for none and then 36 for seven.

“I am really not happy at how we go about applying ourselves in the middle.

“We need to change soon or we will find ourselves a long way adrift.”

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