PLYMOUTH 2nd XI were the latest team to fall by the wayside when they ran into unbeaten C West leaders Dartington & Totnes.
South African Phil Snyman thumped 126, taking his run tally for the league season to 669, and with help from Kalon Veale (50) and Jono Colegage (40) the Villagers totted up 294 for seven.
Best of the bowling for Plymouth was youngster Ethan Carlisle (4-54).
Plymouth were all out for 152 in reply. Clare Varcoe (46no) was the last batter standing.
Harry Baxendale spun away for four Plymouth wickets for 30 runs and Nick Dennis took three for 24.
Darts are 58 points clear at the top of a division with just one promotion place..
Plymouth are mid-table with 34 points between them and the relegation places.
YELVETON are still searching for that elusive first league win of the season after losing the basement battle against Babbacombe by seven wickets.
The Moorlanders, promoted into C East this season, will be officially relegated this Saturday if they lose to leaders Dartington & Totnes, which the form book suggests is very likely.
Phil Mutlow (38) and the extras column were the main contributors to Yelverton’s total of 151 for nine. Andy McVeigh picked up three of their wickets for 35 runs.
Babbacombe, who are scrapping to get out of the bottom two and avoid a second successive relegation, won at a canter. Opener Tim Goodwin made 51 and Steve Broad 29 not out.
ASHLEY Berry’s productive season with the bat continued in Ashburton’s 49-run win over Shaldon.
Berry hit a top score of 91 in Ashburton’s total of 241 all out. He went in at seven for one after the early demise of Lloyd White and was finally eighth out on 209.
In 13 league games so far Berry has scored 439 runs – two 50s, one ton – at an average a fraction under 40. With five games to go he is on course to pass last summer’s career-best of 498 runs.
There were big stands of 96 between Berry and Dan Coles (31) and 42 with Arun Karthick (25). Chris Yeo hit a rapid 30 not out at the end.
Tshepo Legodi (3-42) and Josh Couch (3-55) were Shaldon’s leading wicket takers.
Shaldon went at the chase in T20 fashion and were 82 without loss after eight overs. Karl Blackburn clubbed nine fours and five sixes in 73 off 43 balls that took Shaldon to 100 for two.
Once Blackburn fell to Matt Churchill (4-48) wickets started to fall steadily. Karthick (4-40) also got involved. Shaldon were always ahead of the asking rate, but 131 for seven after 20 overs was not a potentially winning position.
Legodi (39) was the last impediment to wrapping up the win. He as last out in the final total of 193.
Ashburton are resigned to second or third in the final table as they won’t catch leaders Dartington & Totnes.
Berry still wants to win and win well and was delighted by the manner of this victory.
“Once again the guys showed good depth and resilience,” said Berry.
“We talk a lot about belief and its importance and, after their openers got off to a flying start, it can be easy to just give up.
“However we rallied well and managed to turn it around for a good win."
KINGSBRIDGE appear to be teetering on the brink of relegation following a 70-run defeat by Stoke Gabriel.
Stoke amassed 242 for eight in their 45 overs with their big runs coming from top three Jack Tolley (47), Andy Kingdon (75) and Calum Moses (15).
Bhanu DeSilva (4-25) and Olly Robinson (2-44) were Kingsbridge’s leading wicket takers. Veteran Neal Peach (0-31) bowled nine controlled overs.
Kingsbridge were all out for 172 with 14 balls to go.
Top scorer was DeSilva (34), next best was 28 wides and after that Clive Clark made 21 batting at eight.
Wickets were spread round with two each for Jake Robinson, Tolley, Kyle Lardner and Mike Meech.
Stoke stay third, two points behind Ashburton and six ahead of Cornwood in the squabble over minor placings. That could change after they play the Corns this Saturday.
Kingsbridge are second from bottom and need to find 51 points over the final five games to get out of the relegation places.
CORNWOOD 2nd XI overwhelmed Bridestowe by 118 runs after racking-up 260 for seven in 45 overs.
Ciaran Gray (64) and Nathaniel Bell (33) set the tone with an opening stand of 77, which was topped up by skipper Ben Griffiths (41) and Jamie Bailey (38no).
Alex Jopling (9-2-29-1) had Bridestowe’s best bowling figures.
Bridestowe were going nowhere after an early assault from Josh Goodliffe (3-28) and Bailey (2-40) left them 77 for five in reply.
Tim Shaw made a patient 50 not out to get Bridestowe up to 142 all out. Lee Baker (3-18) and Dan Skeemer (2-45) finished what Goodliffe and Bailey started.
