PLYMSTOCK got off the mark at the second attempt in the A Division when they defeated visiting Chudleigh by two wickets.

Chudleigh made 176 for nine in the full allocation of 50 overs – Matt Heather top scoring on 46.

Plymstock were not looking too clever at 76 for four in reply with Jack Horton in and out for a top score of 36.

A break for rain worked in Plymstock’s favour as the target came down to 121 – and they went for it.

Mike Blackmore (19) and Bronte Bess (15) put on 28 for the sixth wicket to leave seven to get in four overs to win it.

Chudleigh’s early runs were constructed round Heather, who put on 81 with Mark Solway and Grant Stone (22)

Dan Britcliffe batted through for an unbeaten 32.

Pick of the bowlers for Plymstock was Bess with three for 28.

George Barnicott had two for 34.

Matt Ball’s first bowl for his new club – curiously against his former one – brought him one for 26 from 10 tidy overs.

Winning skipper Scott Mansfield said with rain expected the toss was crucial.

“Winning the toss and bowling first with rain forecast later in the day was the best possible start,” said Mansfield.

“Our bowlers did their best to build pressure and create wicket-taking chances, unfortunately in the field we didn't support them as we should have.

“Dropping nine catches in total could have resulted in a much-reduced total.  

“To restrict Chudleigh to 176 was a total we were confident of chasing, although a number of guys can hold their hand up for giving their wickets away too softly.

“Mike Blackmore showed what he could do with a solid 24 not out to see us home.”

Chudleigh skipper Ed Foreman said the weather and a reduced target did his side no favours, but that wasn’t the only reason they were beaten.

“The weather turned a difficult total into a rather simple one,” said Foreman.

“With that being said our bowling was very poor in the first part of the innings.

“We lost the game there and were always behind from then on.

“Our batting lessons from last week weren't learned either.

“Our top order did well to get us into a good position on a bowler-friendly wicket, but our middle order failed to turn a good total into an excellent one.

“We need to play a better all round game next week if we want to see a positive result.”