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HATHERLEIGH’S promotion credentials will be tested to the full when they visit Sandford this Saturday.
Sandford and Hatherleigh are the only unbeaten sides left in the division five games into the season.
Brixham were no match for Sandford last time out, slumping to a 162-run defeat at Creedy Park.
Hatheleigh made it five from five and just two dropped points so far when they defeated Plympton by seven wickets,
Plympton scraped up 136 for nine in a game reduced to 35 overs each.
Hatherleigh had Plympton reeling at 25 for five after an early battering from Sean Letheren (2-14) and Ruben Forrester (2-11) and were in danger of sinking completely.
Harry Kandampully (31) and David Ackford put on 31 for the sixth wicket them Jake Caunter marshaled the tail as Plympton added 57 in the dying overs.
Caunter was unbeaten on 37 when the overs ran out.
Jack Cherrington (2-17) and Mark Lake (2-38) also got into the wickets.
Hatherleigh had the runs knocked off inside 27 overs – Kiwi opener Matt Thomas leading the way with 73.
Although Danny Forrester went cheaply, a stand of 81 between Thomas and Gareth Tidball (40no) left only odds and sods to finish off.
Hatherleigh skipper Mark Lake said it couldn’t have been much more comprehensive, but stressed there is no room for complacency.
“It was a very solid performance,” said Lake.
“We were brilliant with the ball in the first 15 overs, that set the tone, followed by a clinical performance with the bat with Matty Thomas leading the way.
“Bigger tests are on the way but we can do no more than do what we are doing at the moment.”
Craig Donohue, the Plympton captain, felt his side were the largely architects of their own misfortunes.
“Overall it was a day to forget and the lads know we need to be better,” said Donohue.
“Hatherleigh are a good side but we just didn't give them a game.
“We didn't turn up in any of the three facets.
“When you are 20 odd for five batting you are always up against it.
“Harry and Jacob batted well down the order to give us some sort of total to bowl at.
“However, at a place like Hatherleigh, with a reasonable wicket and short boundaries, it was always going to be hard.
“In the field we struggled to bowl one side of the wicket, which meant it was near-on impossible to set a field.
“We have a derby against Cornwood next and will be a lot better.”
