Devon Cricket Board - Plympton open up lead at top

Plympton open up lead at top

BRADNINCH dropped down to third in the A Division after losing the first-against second clash with leaders Plympton at Harewood House.
Bradninch were top until Plympton ousted them seven days earlier and skipper Tim Piper was confident of getting pole position back.
Instead, Bradninch are now 22 points behind, not that Piper is too worried.
“It's a set back for us, but it's nothing we can't put right in the next few weeks,” said Piper.
“It was a good game of cricket really. They played well and deserved it on the day.
“We missed Ross Acton, especially as he is a main bowler and batsman for us.”
Wes Hartslief followed his ton against Chudleigh with another 73 as Plympton made 256 for six.
Along the way there were stands of 69 with Dan Robotham (39), 59 with Josh Mailling (27) and another 69 with Christian Bunney, (42).
Hartslief was unbeaten from 47 balls faced with six fours and five sixes when the overs ran out.
Wickets were a problem for Bradninch, although veterans Paul Nott (1-26) and Chris Acton (1-31) kept it below four an over when they were on.
Plympton
“We won the toss and chose to field, even though the pitch looked like a good one,” said Piper.
“In hindsight, this was a mistake, as the pitch slowed up during the day and it was tougher to score freely in the second half.
“Plympton batted pretty well, but it was made easy for them, as we bowled too many "four-balls.
“When Wes Hartslief does put bat to ball, it goes absolutely miles!”
Bradninch chased all the way and as long as skipper Piper was in residence they had a chance.
There were early runs for Greg Mather (36), followed by a 64-run stand between Dan Hardy (33) and Piper for the fourth wicket.
Ross Farrer, whose three wickets for 40 runs, got out Hardy lbw but Piper kept going.
And only when Jamie Lee (4-31) dispatched Piper lbw at 200 for seven could Plympton feel a bit safer.
Bradninch were 228 for nine after 50 overs.
“We thought it was 240-260 wicket, so knew the chase was on,” said Piper.
“The issue we had was losing wickets at key times, regularly throughout the innings, apart from one partnership for the fourth wicket.
“Credit goes to the Plympton bowlers, who bowled well all day, but especially well at the death.”
Plympton skipper Carr said it was a solid display by his team but there remains room for improvement.
“All round we played well, but let ourselves down in the field with a few dropped catches.
“Bradninch are a decent team and to defend at their place is hard because of the short boundaries.
It was an excellent result but we need to keep going.
“There are plenty of good teams in the division, as was proven by results on Saturday, and things could change around very quickly.”

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