PLYMPTON had Chudleigh under the cosh not once but twice – and paid a high price for failing to finish them off when they had the chance.
Chudleigh recovered from 64 for five after Alex Carr (2-28) bowled Guy Harrison-Roberts, to make 154 for eight in the full 50 overs.
Plympton were in a strong position at 95 for one with 19 overs to go and opener Andy Walter unbeaten on 53. Then the wheels fell off.
Three wickets fell for two runs added – and as panic spread the collapse gathered more pace.
Plympton’s last six wickets went for just six runs added – Walter among them for a top score of 58.
Craig Donohue, the Plympton captain, said it was tough losing the game the way they did.
“We cruising and at 95 for one and I thought we were almost there and just needed to finish the job,” said Donohue.
“Andy Walter batted well for his 50, he and Dave Ackford gave us a great platform.
“We lost a couple of quick wickets, which gave Chudleigh a sniff and we managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
“All of us are absolutely gutted having lost from such a commanding position, but there is no point in dwelling on the loss.
“We have a great opportunity to put it right this Saturday and I know if in the same situation again the lads will bring it home.
“It just shows with cricket that even when you have the game won until you get the winning run the game isn't over.
“Credit to Chudleigh they didn't give in. We move on to Brixham on Saturday keen to get back to winning ways.
Only Matt Heather (24) of the earl batters made much headway for Chudleigh as Hakeem Abdullah (2-22) and Josh Caunter (1-22) slowed them up.
Will Heather (42) played the anchorman role for Chudleigh, putting on 52 with Rob Clarke (25) and 35 with Mark Russell (14) towards the final total.
“We bowled well and even when we weren't taking wickets we kept the run rate down and I always felt we were in control,” said Donohue.
“Hakeem bowled well up front, Jacob got into a good rhythm bowling his left-arm spin and Alex Carr bowled a good spell to hold the middle overs together.”
Walter, Ackford who retired hurt then came back, and Chris Jelley saw off Chudleigh’s new-ball bowlers – and the change bowlers too.
The damage was done by spinners Grant Stone and Rob Clarke, who took nine of the wickets to fall.
Clarke had five for 14 – including Harry Kandampully, Walter and Carr in the space of five balls – and Stone bagged four for 14.
Chudleigh captain Ed Foreman felt his side’s win was no more than they deserved for battling to the end.
“It was a great result for us considering we had the worst of the conditions in both innings,’ said Foreman.
“The pitch was a nightmare to bat on early and flattened out nicely later in the day.
“We kept the pressure on well with the ball and took our catches.
The move to spin worked nicely for us. Rob Clarke was excellent as ever and it was good for Grant to get a few wickets early on in the season.
“Will Heather’s knock gave us a competitive total but I never thought it would give us as much room for error as it did.”
