PLYMPTON ran into Somerset star Jim Allenby playing for Brixham – and came away from the encounter with a memorable win.
Allenby, who skippers Somerset in white-ball cricket, has been registered by Brixham this season and will play when not needed on Saturday afternoons.
Allenby was omitted from Somerset’s side currently playing Hampshire, so Brixham were able to bring him in.
Although Allenby made an impression on the match, he performed the hat-trick in the second innings, Plympton emerged three-wicket winners.
Bottom side Brixham, who won the toss and batted, were all out for 184 in the last of their 50 overs.
Brixham were 103 for three when Allenby was caught behind, the first of four scalps for spinner Jacob Caunter.
South African Jason Oaks top scored for Brixham with 28, whose middle order collapsed against Caunter (4-20) and Hakeem Abdullah (2-32).
Tom Blundell (25) and veteran Paul Heath (20) put on 45 for the ninth wicket t keep Plympton out longer than they had hoped.
Plympton got just the start they didn’t want – openers Andy Walter and David Ackford out for just eight on the board.
James Degg, who batted first wicket down, took charge from then on with a composed 73 not out to see Plympton home.
Along the way there were stands of 66 with acting captain Chris Bunney (28), 72 with Justin Wubbeling (35) and 25 with Alex Carr (15).
Allenby took out Carr, Abdullah and Chris Jelley one after the other to make it tense in the Plympton camp, but Degg and Caunter got them over the line.
Bunney, standing in for the absent Craig Donohue, said: “It was an excellent win for us -a typical Plympton win with all the team contributing.
“I must give a special mention to the two young lads - Jacob Caunter and James Degg - for their excellent performances with ball and bat respectively.
“Psychologically it was nice to put right many of the wrongs from last week's performance especially with the bat.
“To be two wins and two losses rather than one win and three losses is a big boost for us.
“We'll take plenty of confidence going into next week's game against Hatherleigh.”
