GARY Chappell hammered a ton as second-placed Bradninch defeated Plympton by six wickets to stay hard on the heels of Cornwood at the top of the A Division.
Elliot Hamilton top scored with 63 at better than run-a-ball rate in Plympton’s 50-over total of 283 for eight.
David Ackford (37) and Ben Privett (42) opened with 81 then Hamilton took the score past 200 with support from Harry Kandampully (30) and Jack Horton (20). Craig Miles swished 21 not out off 10 balls at the end.
Chappell (3-53) and skipper Eliot Acton (3-55) were the most successful Bradninch bowlers.
Bradninch went off in hot pursuit as Chappell and Kian Burns (36) put on 82 for the second wicket.
Any doubts about the result became redundant after Chappell and Tim Piper (84no) had taken the score to 279 for two.
Chappell fell to Plympton skipper Alex Carr for exactly 100, which he scored off 109 balls.
There was time for Bradninch to lose another wicket – Mark Ashworth out to Ben Privett – before Kian Burns hit the same bowler for four to win the game with seven overs to go.
Plympton are sixth in a table of ten, which is not as good as it might sound. They are only eight points clear of the relegation places.
Bradninch (164pts) are set for another week in second place behind leaders Cornwood (169).
Lowly Barton beating previously third-placed Hatherleigh did the Nich a favour as they now own a 12-point cushion between themselves and third.
Skipper Acton said the manner of Hatherleigh’s defeat – all out for
105 chasing 112 to win – was a reminder to everyone in the division there are no easy games.
“It just shows that it doesn't really matter where you are in the table if you don't do both parts well every game,” said Acton.
“We need to remember that going into games that the table would suggest should be easier.”
Back to matters at Kensham Park, Acton said: “It was a really impressive chase - Chaps and Pipes made it look very easy.
“Chasing 280 is a fair few runs on paper but we were always confident being at home with a good wicket and rapid outfield, especially with our top order in the form they are in.
“One area of improvement would be fielding levels as we weren't clinical enough. But on the whole, a really positive day and a good result.”
