PLYMPTON stayed calm under pressure to beat Plymstock by 14 runs in a rain-affected derby date at Harewood House.
The game was scaled down to 25 overs each and Plympton used theirs to make 128 for nine - David Ackford top scoring on 38.
Skipper Craig Donohue feared he didn’t have enough runs on the board – and when Plymstock were 75 for four on the chase he may have had a point.
Hakeem Abdullah, Chris Jelley (3-31) and David Wrench came up with big wickets at key times as Plymstock were dismissed for 114 with four balls to go.
Winning captain Donohue said he had doubts more than once, but the players delivered.
“We had a good start batting and with 10 to go were 90 for one and looking at a score of around160,” said Donohue.
“Some good bowling from Plymstock, especially Bronte Bess, and losing a soft wicket or two, meant we only had 128 to defend.
“We managed to get wickets at the right time, especially Jack Horton when he was scoring well.
“It was a game both sides will feel they should have won at one point or another.
“We kept our composure under pressure and managed to get the win - a great start to the season.”
Andy Walter (26), Ackford and Chris Jelley (20) scored the bulk of the runs for Plympton. Next best with seven was Justin Wubbeling.
Bronte Bess (3-17) and Charles Martin (3-14) ran though the lower order after James Nicholls (2-25) took front-end wickets.
Martin (17),Horton (30) and Josh Hocken (19) put Plymstock into a promising position.
Once Abdullah (3-16) and Wrench (2-21) got going only Nicholls (18) made double figures.
A derby defeat wasn’t the result captain Scott Mansfield was after on Plymstock’s return to the A Division.
Mansfield felt the target was gettable and Plymstock can only blame themselves for falling short.
“We started slowly and in a reduced- 25-overs-a-side game cannot happen,” said Mansfield.
“We responded by bowling and fielding well. Restricting Plympton to 127 was a great effort and left a very achievable target.
“Not enough batsmen applied themselves and gave their wickets away, which was the reason we failed to reach the target.
“On paper we know we have players to win any game. We must make sure we apply ourselves and each take that responsibility to ensure it happens.”
