SKIPPER Richard Ashworth stroked an unbeaten 126 to help Paignton beat North Devon in a last-over finish at Queens Park.
Opener Tom Ansell hit a run-a-ball 127 not out for North Devon in their hefty total of 260 all out in the last of their 50 overs.
Ashworth virtually matched Ansell run for run, if not ball for ball, as Paignton knocked off the runs with five balls to spare and three wickets in hand.
Victory moves Paignton up to third in the table, ousting Plymouth who lost in the last over of another high-scoring affair at Bovey Tracey.
“It was a vital win for us after two disappointing losses,” said Ashworth.
“On a personal note it was great to score my first premier ton but, more importantly, to see the team over the line.
“Credit to North Devon. I was a very good game and could have gone either way.”
Everything North Devon did when they batted revolved round Ansell, who was on the pitch for every minute of the match.
Ansell opened up with Dan Bowser (25) and put on 59 without mishap.
The big stand of the innings was one worth 92 with Rob Ayre (44) that took the tally to 151 for two.
Callum Hotham (26) shared a stand of 54 that took Ansell to 97 not out. Skipper Ed Yeo was at the other end when Ansell reached is ton.
Wickets fell in the final 10 overs with George Benton picking up three and two each going to Dan Wolf and George Yates.
“The pitch was very flat and I thought we did well to restrict them to 260,” said Ashworth.
“George Yates and rob Shergold both bowled very good spells to keep it tight in the middle overs. that kept us in the game.
“At 150 for one they looked like posting a very big score, but we kept taking wickets at key times.
“George Benton bowled very well at the end to pick up three wickets and slow the run rate.”
South African Tristan Coetzee marked his belated Paignton debut four games into the league season with 48 off 49 balls as the Queens Parkers set off in hot pursuit.
“Tristan batted fantastically at the top of the order and got us of to a great start,” said Ashworth.
“He looks like a very good find for us this year.”
There was a hitch when Connor Bryan was caught behind off Matt Westaway, but that just brought Ashworth in a little earlier.
Coetzee went at 85 and Wolf on 92. Chris Kelmere (43) proved a willing running mate for Ashworth as the chase picked up speed.
A stand of 86 for the fourth wicket was broken when Kelmere departed caught behind to Jack Popham (3-54).
Paignton still needed 82 to win and Ashworth, on 77 not out when Kelmere trudged off, got the bulk of them.
Harry Ward (16) and Rob Shergold (11) mostly kept an end up while Ashworth got on with it.
There were some jitters near the end – three run-outs in the scramble for singles – but one hit from George Benton settled it.
“Chris Kelmere who looked in very good form, and Harry Ward almost got us up to the score,” said Ashworth.
“Then the guys coming in at the end did a great job to keep the score ticking along.”
Paignton are at home to Bovey Tracey this Saturday.
