PLYMSTOCK are still bumping along the bottom of the A Division following a 77-run defeat by Budleigh Salterton.
It was Plymstock’s fourth defeat in five starts since being promoted and leaves only winless Brixham below them in the table.
Budleigh made 180 for nine in their full 50 overs – Trevor Anning top scoring on 76.
Bronte Bess (2-22) made life difficult for Budleigh early on, but from nine for two they progressed to 80 for three with Neil Murrin (19) and Anning in the runs.
Anning added another 53 with Ben Carter before Plymstock’s bowlers began to exert some control.
Ian Whalley made the breakthrough Plymstock needed when he bowled Anning on 133 for four.
Acting captain James Nicholls, deputising for Scott Mansfield, brought himself into the attack and spun through the lower order.
Nicholls finished with four for 11 as Budleigh lost wickets in the last 10 overs.
Plymstock were up against it from the start, slipping to 11 for three as Jason Williams, Nicholls and Brian Gaylard perished.
Charles Martin (20) and Mike Blackmore (30) staged something of a rescue act and Josh Hocken made 17 as the total reached 70 for five.
Blackmore batted on – he was ninth out – but support was thin on the ground.
Tom Oxland picked up four for 33 and James Leat (3-38) helped him polish off the lower order as Plymstock were all out for 103 in the 24th over.
Nicholls will hand back to Mansfield for the derby clash with Ivybridge this Saturday, a game Plymstock really need to win.
“We can't change the last few weeks so it is time to put them behind us and start with a clean slate against Ivybridge,” said Nicholls.
“We are bowling and fielding superbly and when we start backing it up with the bat we will start winning games of cricket.”
Nicholls said Budleigh weren’t that much better man for man, but were better equipped.
“Budleigh bowled nicely early on and the pitch took spin later – and they had three spinners,” said Nicholls.
“They bowled well and we didn't bat cleverly again.”
