BRADNINCH skipper Gary Chappell is looking to finish the season with a flourish when his promotion-winning side visit Plympton this Saturday.

Bradninch will be back in the Premier Division next season having won the A Division this summer with three games to spare.

With the job done before Bradninch hosted relegated Ipplepen last Saturday, they decided to strengthen the 2nd XI for their game with Sidmouth. Both sides were in the B East promotion mix.

The strengthened 2nd XI lost by 13 runs – that’s them out of the running – and the 1st XI were eight-run losers to previously winless Pens.

Said Chappell: “Although missing quite a few, we were rubbish.

“Hard to be motivated when there is nothing to play for, but we didn't bat well enough.

“Ipplepen deserved the win. They showed great determination all day and got their reward.

“As for this week, we will be taking a full 1st XI down to Plympton for a last-day celebration.”

Ipplepen made 174 for nine in their 50 overs – Sam deFriend top scoring on 43.

Ross Acton (2-29) posed problems early on, but deFriend, Mawgan Penrice (16) and JackWylie (21) dug in.

Will Squire (2-37) and Dan Hardy (3-17) got into the lower order, but last pair Harry Lewis (13) and Keith Wakeham (10) put on 24 unbroken at the end, which proved crucial to the outcome.

Bradinch were always up with the clock after Chappell (38) and Andy Buzza (34) put on 52 for starters, but had wickets-in-hand issues after dipping from 86 for two to 109 for six.

Will Burley, playing only his second game in the league 1st XI, was the only batter to last long for his 22 as Lewis (2-41) and Ethan Keller (4-40) got to work for the Pens.

Cameron Suidgeest (27) kept Bradninch in the game, but when he was eighth out at 149 the odds favoured Ipplepen.

Squire (12no) and Rob Acton (8) took it to the wire before returning paceman Joe Abbott (3-48) ended their play time!

For Ipplepen captain Keith Wakeham there was joy to be had from winning for the first time this season.

“At last,” said Wakeham. “I had forgotten how good it felt.

“It was a great name for a dead rubber, but maybe meant a bit more to us.

“We fought hard with bat and ball and 24 for the tenth wicket in the last seven overs made the difference after de Friend and Wylie ground out scores.

“Youngsters Forsey and Lewis on debut were incredible with tight bowling (1-16) and the crucial wickets of Chappell and Cann.

“We kept scrapping and showed some of the cricket we know we are capable of.”