PAIGNTON handed out a 10-wicket hiding to Plympton in their first game of the A Division season.

Paignton came down with Plympton at the end of last season and, on the evidence of this display, a determined to go straight back out.

It is a bit early to say too much about Plympton’s prospects. But if it was a kick up the backside that won’t worry skipper Dan Robotham unduly.

“Paignton out played us in all departments,” said Robotham.

 “The performance was a disappointing one but a reality check that we have got a lot of work to put in to achieve our targets.”

Opener David Ackford showed his mettle with a dogged 24 off 83 balls at the top of the Plympton order as wickets fell regularly at the other end.

Rob Shergold (4-11) did early damage, aided and abetted by Kevin Hinton and Connor Ashworth.

After Ackford fell lbw to Connor Bryan at 52 for six, Imran Ali Pasha (31) and James Carr (25) staged a seventh-wicket rescue act, putting on 47.

The returning Shergold broke the stand by removing Pasha and the last four wickets fell for 12 runs as Plympton were all out for 111 with more than eight overs to go.

“The only positive I can give is the partnership between James and Imran got us up to some sort of total to try to defend, but realistically we were 130 light on that pitch,” said Robotham.

Paignton raced to victory in just 16 overs, led there by Devon batsman Dan Wolf with a brutal 73 at run-a-ball rate.

Wolf hit nine fours and four sixes – three of them in the same over from Pakistani paceman Pasha, whose six overs cost 41 runs.

Connor Bryan kept the other end intact for 36 not out.

New captain Chris Kelmere said Paignton benefited from pre-season work definitely paid off.

“The performance was top class and a reflection on the training, focus and enthusiasm displayed in our pre-season preparation,” said Kelmere.

“The mood and spirit within the team is unlike anything I have seen before.

“Rob Shergold was a class above with the ball and Kevin Hinton and Carl Wolnough have added depth to our home-grown side.

“Dan Wolf and Connor Bryan made light work of Plympton’s bowling

in a prodigious exhibition, giving no chances.

“Going into next weeks game we are looking to carry forward our momentum and establish ourselves as title contenders.”