FAIZAN Riaz stroked his second league ton of the season to set Plymouth on course for a 100-run win over visiting Torquay.

Plymouth totted up 328 for six in 50 overs then dismissed Torquay for 228 with eight balls to spare.

Victory puts 34 points between Plymouth and the relegation places. Torquay are hovering four points over the drop spots.

Riaz, whose first ton was taken off Exeter, went in at 43 for one after Ben Stein and Rob Bennett had given Plymouth a start.

A stand of 79 with Stein (48) got Plymouth motoring and by the time Riaz was caught behind off Mitch Pugh he had been involved in partnerships worth 248.

Riaz hit 156 off 110 ball and slotted 11 fours and nine sixes.

Torquay skipper George Allen tried eight bowlers looking for a breakthrough, none of whom took more than one wicket.

On a day when six an over was par for a bowler, young Harry Passenger (10-0-44-1) and Jordan Hoffman (9-1-45-1) were Torquay’s prime bowelrs.

Torquay lost opener Elliot Moses cheaply, but got to 80 for one in 16 overs without too many difficulties. Then Plymouth captain Jon Varcoe turned to his spinners.

Riaz and Matt Petherbridge, slowed the chase and as run dried up wickets began to fall, starting with Jason Degg (55) and Allen (37).

Petherbridge, who took three for 27 against his previous club, and Riaz (3-29) worked through the Torquay order.

Veteran left-hander Tim Western (46) and Matt Beasant (28) delayed the inevitable with some stubborn resistance that added 69 for the ninth wicket.

Winning skipper Varcoe said Riaz and Petherbridge played a big part in getting Plymouth back on track after a poor display against Sandford.

“After our poor batting last week it was good to score 300-plus,” said Varcoe.

“Stuck in to bat on a tricky pitch, our top threedid brilliantly in the first 10 and gave us a good platform. 

“Faz did his thing and belted the bowlers everywhere. 

“Matt Petherbridge bowled superbly and we knew that if we bowled dot balls the wickets would come.”