DARTINGTON & Totnes skipper Harry Baxendale is not surprised his side are top of the C Division West table after four games.

An eight-wicket win over Plymouth 2nd XI at Mount Wise last time out underlined Darts promotion credentials.

Plymouth were a point behind in second going into the game. D&T have opened up a 19-point lead on the strength of this win.

Exeter City footballer Alex Hartridge (5-16) ran through the top order as Plymouth slumped to 23 for five.

Jon Cummings (12) and Dave Burke (17) had the only double-figure scores for Plymouth in an eventual total of 66 all out. Jono Colegate (2-23) and skipper Baxendale (2-11) brought the innings to an early close in the 34th over.

Darts’ opener Phil Snyman (37) was dismissed with just seven runs needed.

Reflecting on Darts’ bright start, Baxendale said: “With the side we have this season we kind of expected it.

“Our overseas (Snyman) is a fine player and we are stronger again now the football season has finished and Alex is back.

“Our attack is good with variety and lots of wicket takers.

“If we can keep going like this we will sit down among ourselves and reassess our aims for the season.”

ASHBURTON lost for the first time this season in the C Division West when Shaldon Optimists defeated them by 34 runs.

Ashes remain second in the table and will hope to bounce back quickly when they visit Bridestowe on Saturday.

Ruben Minnaar top scored for Shaldon with 79 of 64 balls – 11 fours, two sixes – in their total of 188 all out. Minnaar was third out at 102 to Matt Churchill. 

Shaldon slowed to 145 for seven under pressure from Churchill (2-30), Will Coon (2-31) and Arun Karthick (2-43), Carl Woolnough’s 34 off 31 balls at the end was to prove decisive.

Woolnough then spanked Ashes batting with six of the best as they were bowled out for 154 in reply.

Woolnough picked off both openers then top scorer Dan Coles for a patient 45.

Back came Woolnough for a second spell that yielded four more wickets as Ashburton careered from 144 for five to 154 all out.

After the game Ashes skipper Ashley Berry said: "Having got off to a flyer the boys did very well to reel Shaldon back in and restrict them to under 200.

"We were one good partnership away really so fell a bit short. Some lessons to be learned, but to be second after month one is a good start."

STOKE Gabriel bounced back from their surprise defeat by Babbacombe with a 51-run win at Kingsbridge.

Jack Tolley (44) gave Stoke a start, Calum Moses (40) kept the board ticking over and Andy Kingdon (48no) moved the score along to 245 for seven.

Bhanu de Silva (2-22) was easily the most effective of Kingsbridge’s bowlers.

Kingsbridge opener Richard Carr flogged 94 in a hurry, as he had to leave the game early as the home side set if in hot pursuit.

De Silva chipped in with 25 and at 150 for two it was game on. Not for long.

De Silva’s departure was the beginning of the end as wickets tumbled to Jack Tolley (3-20) and Kyle Lardner (2-10). Two run-outs helped.

Third ma in Steve Inch (23no) saw eight wickets fall for 44 runs scored as Kingsbridge folded to 194 all out.

BRIDESTOWE got back to winning ways with a 96-run victory over Cornwood 2nd XI

Bridestowe made a steady start, reaching 39-0 before Gary Sizmur (10) was caught behind off Lee Baker (5-17).

Baker caused problems for all of the top order, but Eddy Jones managed to hang around before he was trapped lbw for 22.

Jack Hatton (65) latched on to anything loose and put on a vital 96 with Mark Fogerty (38no).

Other than Baker, only James Richardson (3-41) had any joy with the ball for Cornwood.

Bridestowe cut loose in the last 15 overs, finishing on 206 for nine when the overs ran out.

Chris Lavis (3-29) bowled an accurate opening spell and was rewarded with early wickets.

Ciaran Gray (26) and Nathaniel Bell (33) applied themselves well and, at 79 for three at drinks, Corns were still in the hunt.

Wickets from Alex Jopling (3-21) and Matt Dennis (2-9) ensured that the hosts remained firmly in control.

Cornwood finished on 110 all out.

YELVERTON remain winless in the C Division West bottom three after going down by three wickets to Babbacombe.

Ben Grove (45) and Ali Grove (18) had the only significant scores for Yelverton in total of 145 all out. Adam Peters, Andy McVeigh and Ben Passmore grabbed two wickets each for Babbacombe.

Skipper Rob Redding led the Babbacombe chase with an unbeaten half-century. McVeigh chipped in 21.

Ryan Dibble (3-25) was Yelverton’s most successful bowler.