BRADNINCH won by five wickets at Plymouth to ease up to third in the Premier table.

After the opening day disaster at Torquay, followed by a slip against Sidmouth, Bradninch have won three in a row.

The Ninch’s credentials will be fully tested this Saturday when they host undefeated table-toppers Bovey Tracey.

Skipper Gary Chappell, who made 91 to set-up the Bradninch run chase, said the prospect of facing Bovey was a sobering one.

“Things are going really well, but next Bovey will be a tougher test,” he said.

Plymouth were dismissed for 187 in the 46th of their 50 overs.

Matt Parker whipped out Joe Hagan-Burt and Joe Varcoe early, but a stand of 51 between Jake Luffman (25) and Fazian Riaz (34) appeared to put Plymouth back on track.

Andy Buzza (3-43) removed Riaz, which seemed to unsettle the Plymouth middle order.

Wickets fell regularly to Gary Chappell, Ross Acton (2-23) and Buzza as Plymouth deteriorated from 91 for three to 119 for seven.

Hal Kerton (31) and Dan Goodey (30) stuck around to get something defendable on the board.

Bradninch made a rapid start to the chase as openers Chappell and Rory Thomas got to 65 in nine overs.

Fahad Ali trapped Thomas lbw, followed by Riaz removing dangerous Dan Hardy for one.

Chappell was still there though and played the anchorman role against tight bowling to see Bradninch home.

A stand of 50 with Matt Foster (16) got Bradninch to 128 for three. The killer partnership was one of 48 with Tim Piper for the fourth wicket.

When Chappell fell for 91 the target was 12 to win in five overs. Piper was 30 not out when the post was passed in the 49th over.

Said Chappell: “It was a lot more convincing than it may have looked, as we eased down the run chase not needing to take any risks.

“After being 70 off 10 it was just a case of not throwing wickets away and giving them a sniff. 

“I don't think we bowled as well as we have done, but still did a decent job containing them to 190 on what was probably a 220-230 par pitch.”

Plymouth skipper Sam Stein was a frustrated spectator again due to injury, but hopes to be fit for the trip to North Devon.

Stein said it is down to the batters to tighten their games if results are going to improve.

“Jake Luffman looked good at the top of the order and so did Faz, but they didn't kick on,” said Stein.

“We didn’t help ourselves either by playing a few loose shots.

 “The spinners were brilliant for us, gave us a lot of control. Had we got 20-30 more it would have been interesting.”