Tristan Wakefield makes is way off the Varwell Field after his record-breaking innings for Ashburton

ASHBURTON’S Aussie import Tristan Wakefield slammed a whirlwind 172 to set the C Division West promotion chasers on course for a 186-run win over lowly Plymouth CS&R.

Ashburton may have lost opener Martin Causey in the first over, but that was pretty well as good as it got for Civil.

Lloyd White (49) and Tom Durman (25) put on 54 for the second wicket – and that was just an appetiser for things to come!

When White went the score was 101 for three and the runs starting to pile up.

Wakefield, who clattered 19 fours and 10 sixes from 110 balls faced, dominated a stand of 72 for the fourth wicket with Ashley Harvey (27),

A stand of 125 followed with Dan Coles (39) – and getting Wakefield out didn’t slow the scoring too much.

Coles, Dom Durman (18) and Matt Churchill (10) flogged another 69 in the final overs to take Ashes to a whopping 364 for seven. Keith Dann took three for 66.

When Churchill hit the last ball of the innings for six, the score leapfrogged the 360 for seven made against South Brent in 2016 to become the highest score made in Ashburton 1st XI history.

Wakefield’s 172 blitzed the highest individual score of 138 made by White in against Newton St Cyres last season.

Wakefield said he was pleased to deliver a century having threatened more than once but not going on.

“After getting a couple of starts it felt great to kick on and get a big one,” he said.

“We batted superbly in partnerships all the way through which meant I could bat with freedom.

“Scoring my first Ashburton hundred will be a moment that sticks with me forever.”

Ten-man Civil were all out for 178 in reply, Stuart Dent making 46 and Nick Read 38.

There were three wickets each for Tom Durman (3-44) and Churchill (3-35)

Victory keeps Ashburton where they have been for a while, second behind leaders Babbacombe, who beat Chagford by 79 runs.

BRIDESTOWE got back to winning ways by 96 runs at home to Shaldon Optimists, moving them back up to third.

Shaldon won the toss and fielded first - which seemed a good call as Bridestowe fell to 3 for two.

There was a bit of a recovery by the hosts, but another collapse left them in trouble at 46 for six.

Mark Couch (3-48) grabbed three wickets whilst Tshepo Legodi (2-17) and Alex Aitchison (2-34) got a couple.

The Divisions leading run scorer Gary Sizmur (394 at 56) had a rare failure when he went lbw for 20.

Skipper Dan Fogerty (47), Brandon Horn (15) and Tom McGrattan (25no) saved the day from down the order.

Bridestowe finished on 162 all out, which was a good score on a pitch which had taken rain all week.

The Optimists were dismissed for just 66.

Only openers Andy Espley (13) and Karl Blackburn (14) managed double figures as the Bridestowe bowlers gave nothing away.

Chris Lavis (3-29) was rewarded for another accurate spell and Matt Dennis (2-21) also caused problems.

Alex Jopling (2-3) and Tom Boother (3-9) finished things off.

BABBACOMBE charge on at the top of the table following a 79-run victory over Chagford.

Steve Lewis (41) and Mike Pugh (22) laid the foundations with a stand of 51 for the second wicket as Babbacombe set about compiling 229 for seven,

Andy Kingdon thwacked 76 after going in at 69 for two, He was last out in the final over. He and Lewis put on 51.

"This week we batted our overs and learned from last week’s mistakes.," said skipper Steve Broad.

Acting captain Craig Penberthy rang the bowling changes with little success trying to force breakthroughs.

Callum Worth took two for 36 while J P van Rensburg bowled nine overs for 26 runs and the wicket Jacob Hand.

Chagford were all out for 150 with 10 overs to go – no one making more than van Rensburg (40).

Paul Penberthy (24) chipped in but there was no support elsewhere.

Babbacombe's wicket taking was a collaborative effort. Dean Peall, Tim Goodwin, Paul Bates and Sam Powell all had two each.

"As in a number of our games this season, the bowlers all contributed and wickets were shared around," said Broad.

KINGSBRIDGE overpowered South Devon by seven wickets to move into the top half of the table.

South Devon’s decision to bat first didn’t pay off as they were bowled out for just 105.

Dinesh Raheja top scored with 38 and Ryan Maunder made 16. No one else made more than nine.

South Devon’s last six wickets went for just 18 runs as Bhanu DeSilva (3-12), Freddie Ford (3-19) and Olly Robinson wheeled away.

Knocking off the runs was done and dusted before the 21st over was up.

The Fords – Freddie (50) and James (17) – gave Kingsbridge a 98-run start. Wickets for James Allen (2-22) and Joe Kitto were scant consolation as the game was long since won at lost.

South Devon have dropped within seven points of the relegation places and need to start winning some matches. Babbacombe at home this Saturday will be a challenge for them.

STOKE Gabriel are moving in the right direction at last after making it two wins on the spin.

Fresh from their win over South Devon they added a 39-run derby win over Dartington & Totnes.

Stoke are still in the bottom three but are only 12 points from safety now.

Mike Meech, the captain, said the return of all-rounder Seb Ansley has lifted the side but there is more to the revival than that.

“Everyone seems to be taking a bit more responsibility now when we bat,” said Meech.

“The top end are doing their job and the lower order are hitting it well.”

Meech jointly top scored with 32 in Stoke’s total of 205 for nine – one more than Ansley (31) made. Issac Withington also had 32 and Jake Robinson chipped in with 20.

Kalon Veale’s two for 38 off nine topped the D&T bowling returns, Bertus Loots (1-17) bowled nine tight overs.

Elliott Miller top scored for Darts with 44 and Veale made 37, but only veteran skipper Harold Stevenson (20) added a substantial contribution after they had gone.

Jake Robinson was the leading Stoke bowler with four for 34 – despite having a nightmare start. He bowled an 18-ball over full of wides before finding his line and length.

Withington, Ansley and Dan Bullock had a couple of wickets each.

Darts entertain Bridestowe this Saturday. Stoke go to bottom side Plymouth CS&R.