PLYMOUTH collected a vital win in the scrap to steer clear of the bottom two when they won by three wickets against visiting Bovey Tracey.

Bovey were all out for 100 with more 12 of their 50 overs to go – and did well to get that many having been 55 for seven at one stage.

Plymouth lost Aussie run getter Hamish Gardiner first ball and were 10 for three after four overs.

Bits and pieces got Plymouth over the line in the end, notably from Hal Kerton with an unbeaten 33.

Although Brixham are gonners after losing to Exmouth, the second relegation spot could be filled by anyone of six clubs.

Only one point separate Bovey (158pts), North Devon (157) and Plymouth now. Cornwood are 19 points further behind in the second drop slot.

“We have now made ground on Bovey and jumped just above North Devon,” said Plymouth skipper Sam Stein.

“We are playing very well as a side at the moment and we are happy with the results we are getting.

“We are now looking forward to the challenge of Sidmouth this weekend.:

Opener Pete Bradley (21) and Toby Codd (28) at number eight were the only Bovey batters to make it past eight!

The middle order did a vanishing act as 50 for three became 55 for seven in the space of 10 balls – Sam Stein doing the damage with two wickets and a run out.

Codd put on 25 with Sam Thomas to stave off total collapse before he was flushed out by Kerton (2-10).

Dave Burke (2-16) and Dan Goodey (2-13) got through 17 overs between them effectively.

“Everyone bowled very well and hit their areas, which was great to see,” said Stein.

Hugo Whitlock got Gardiner caught behind with the first ball of the Plymouth innings and followed up with Anthony Atkinson the same way in his next over

Three in a row for Chris Bradley, the former Devon skipper, had Plymouth reeling at 48 for five.

Small contributions matter in low-scoring games, as George Stephenson underlined on his return to 1st XI action after a long lay-off due to illness with an uber-patient 13 off 53 balls.

Stephenson and Kerton put on 48 for the sixth wicket, which left five to win.

Stein said the game ended up being a little closer than it should have been.”

“The pitch did a little bit, but nothing drastic as the scores didn't actually reflect the conditions,” he said.

“I think we were caught in two minds when chasing a low score, but it was just one of those games where we had to get the job done.

“Hal and George put in a great display of how to calm the situation and pick up runs safely.”

Losing captain Matt Golding, who had to retire hurt while batting then returned briefly lower down the order, said Bovey’s league position should improve in the last month of the season.

“We have been without Malcolm Lake and his brother Andy, who have been in Zimbabwe visiting family, and Sam Hickinbottom has been out with shoulder trouble,” said Golding, who is deputising for Hickinbottom.

“It was great to get Chris Bradley back playing and he has said he may be available for a few more games now.

“With all those players back I am confident we have the quality in the side to get the results we need.”