PLYMSTOCK are stuck fast in the A Division bottom two after slumping to a 70-run defeat at Lewdown.

Plymstock appeared to have the difficult bit done after skittling Lewdown for 135.

It all turned sour for Plymstock when they were bowled out for 65 in reply.

Skipper Scott Mansfield needed some consolation after a third reverse in four starts. Defeats for fellow strugglers Brixham, Budleigh and Ivybridge mean Plymstock are little worse off than before.

Plymstock’s problem isn’t bowling sides out, but setting meaningful totals and chasing targets.

In the three games they have lost Plymstock have been bowled out for 114 (Plympton), 80 (Cornwood) and now 65.

Mansfield believes it Plymstock sort out their batting, results will improve.

“It was a game of bowlers performing and batsman not… again,” said Mansfield.

“I felt we let Lewdown off a bit as we were in a strong position to restrict them to 90 but the last three batsman stuck around and dispatched anything wide to take their score to 135. 

“None of our batters have performed so far but we all know what we can do.

“They will come good and I am confident it will be sooner rather than later.”

Dave Ball and Nick Hayden with 23 were the joint top scorers for Lewdown.

Charlie Martin’s medium pacers took three wickets for 23 runs and there were two each for Sayed Ali and Bronte Bess.

Plymstock were bowled out for Tallon Burns (4-21) and former Albion rugby player Billy Searle (4-5), who is having some time off after a tough season with Premier strugglers Bristol, the wicket takers.

Ali was 17 not out when he ran out of people to bat with.

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