PLYMPTON have probably done enough A Division survival scrap to stay up despite a five-wicket defeat away to fellow strugglers  Barton.

The pressure was on Barton to come up with a win as they were in the second drop spot going into the game.

Barton (178 pts) remain one off the bottom behind with Chudleigh (182) following their defeat at Paignton.

Hatherleigh (189pts) are theoretically in relegation orbit despite ending Budleigh Salterton’s promotion hopes with an 80-run win over them at Holsworthy Road.

Plympton are level on points with Hatherleigh and the good news for both sides is Chudleigh and Barton play in the final round of fixtures – and only one of them can win.

For Plympton to go down now they would have to be bowled out very cheaply by champions Bradninch and lose heavily – AND Barton and Chudleigh would have to be involved in a high-scoring tie in which both sides are bowled out.

Strange things do happen on the last day of the season, but the odds suggest Plympton’s 11-point cushion should be enough.

Plympton were all out for 167 in the 49^th over at Barton – Hakeem Abdullah (33) giving them some late impetus after the early order blew hot and cold.

Barton send Plympton sliding from 64 for three for 72 for six in 15 balls – Adam Parker (2-30) among the wickets with Dave Wrench (23) among the casualties.

Christian Bunney (25) and Abdullah put on 44 then Jamie Lee (20) hung around at the end.

Jamie Peters (3-13) was the pick of the home bowling, aided and abetted by Parker, Mark Gilmour and Jaryd Seiffert with two each.

Barton have wise old heads in their side, ex-Devon keeper-batter Andy Hele and Combined Services all-rounder Shaun Needham, and were glad of them on the chase.

Hele went at 15 for one and came out at 81 for three having made a useful 33.

Needham’s contribution was 40, which got Barton up to 114 for five.

Skipper Parker (15no) and Scott Baldry (29no) had nearly 30 overs to make the rest and batted cautiously to secure the win and all 20 points.

There were two wickets each for Imran Ali Pasha and Ryan Skinner.