PLYMPTON are living dangerously in the A Division after losing by 62 runs to visiting Budleigh Salterton.

Hatherleigh who are below Plympton, moved within three points of them by beating Ipplepen by 51 runs.

Plympton are still clear of the second drop spot, but can’t afford to lose again this Saturday when they visit Sandford.

Budleigh made 208 for seven in their 50 overs – Rob Craze going in at 98 for two and batting through to the end for an unbeaten 55.

Eliot Rice (45) and Max Waller (42) made early runs for Budleigh – they put on 91 for the second wicket - before Craze got in.

Craze shared in bits-and-pieces stands with the bottom half of the order. Ben Phillips (12) and Dan Robinson (18) chipping in.

Pick of the bowlers for Plympton were Imran Ali Pasha (2-27) , Hakeem Abdullah (1-31) and Jamie Lee (0-25).

Plympton started brightly through skipper Dan Robotham (33) and Josh Mailing (35), who quickly knocked Budleigh opening bowlers Sid Fereday and Trevor Anning out of the attack.

Sixty-one for none became 78 for four against the spin of Waller (2-12), Max Mejzner (2-34) and Crase (3-15 off 10).

Imran (32) and Christian Bunney (14) were the only batters to make double-figure scores as Plympton subsided to 146 all out.

Robotham said Plympton got second use of a deteriorating wicket, which contributed to their downfall.

“We lost the toss and were asked to field on a wicket that was only going to get worse as the day went on,” said Robotham.

“We bowled and fielded well on a wicket that offered nothing for the seamers, the stand-outs being Hakeem, who bowled 10 straight through with excellent control, and Jamie Lee.

“We felt 200 was par, but batting second against a team containing five spinners was going to be a tough ask on that pitch, even though we got off to a bit of a flier.

“Josh batted well, as did Imran down the order, but it proved a few too many runs to get.

“Budleigh bowled exceptionally well but it was bitterly disappointing to take as it seems like more points thrown away.”