SOUTH Devon’s margin for error has been whittled down to 13 points after a second successive setback in the D Division West promotion race.
South Devon dropped off top spot when they lost to Lewdown in round 12 and were aiming to prove a point against new leaders Paignton 2ndXI next time out.
It did not go according to plan against Paignton, who made 250 for six in their 45 overs and dismissed South Devon for 196 in reply.
Although South Devon lost by 54 runs at Queens Park they remain in the third promotion spot behind Paignton and Hatherleigh 2ndXI.
Chelston & Kingskerswell are 12 points behind in fourth place and the worry for South Devon is the villagers could overhaul them in the last five games.
Mark Smith hit an unbeaten 101 at the top of Paignton’s order. Charlie Ward (27) and Rory Medlock (24) chipped in.
South Devon spinners James Allen (2-18) and Rob Stephens (0-36) were the only bowlers to keep a lid on the Paignton batters.
South Devon lost opener Harry Senior on two to Ward (3-38) then Mark Andrews to Jack Harman (2-28) on 38.
At 100 for six with John Purchese (23) and Ali Wright (23) in and out, South Devon were on the ropes. A punchy stand of 64 between Liam Price (45) and Dillip Salinda (27) lifted South Devon spirits, but the damage was done.
Spinners Tom Blundell and Medlock (2-35) got into the lower order once Price was removed and South Devon’s last four wickets went for 32 runs.
Skipper Allen said the disappointing thing was to see a winnable game slip away.
“Our bowling and fielding was average, however we could have chased that total on that wicket with better application,” said Allen.
IPPLEPEN 2ndXI can’t be written off as promotion contenders just yet after they eased to a five-wicket win over Kenn.
Pens are 17 points behind third-placed South Devon with five games to play and 100 points to play for.
Three of those games – South Devon, Hatherleigh 2ndXI and Chelston & Kingskerswell – are against teams ahead of them in the table. All are chances to move up the standings.
Openers Anthony Gosling (65) and Hugh Stronge (42) gave Kenn a 69-run start then Dan Wride (30) and Peter Chislett (22no) took the tally to 212 all out.
Pick of the Pens’ bowlers were veteran Keith Wakeham (3-42) and Harry Lewis (3-30).
Pens had victory in the bag with more than nine overs to spare. Matt Quartley clubbed 30 in boundaries making 31 off 19 balls to raise the tempo.
Callum King (55no) then finished the job, aided and abetted by Jasper Heaver (28) – they put on 50 – and skipper Simon Tapley (26no) in a summative stand of 70 unbroken.
PLYMOUTH CS&R were a distant second by 97 runs away to Chelston & Kingskerswell.
Nick Guest top scored with 89 not out in the home side’s total of 257 for five. Lucas Grierson (58) and Eric Gregersen (48) chipped in.
Jack Dent made a half-century in reply for Civil, who were all out for 160. Chris Harrison took four wickets for 44 runs.
Civil are 59 points adrift at the bottom of the table and could be relegated if they lose to South Devon this Saturday and Lewdown take a handful of points off Plympton.
WHITCHURCH were left licking their wounds after crashing to a 10-wicket defeat against Lewdown in a game that lasted fewer than 45 overs from start to early finish.
Ex-Devon left-armer Ben Williams had three Whitchurch wickets for 21 runs and skipper Dave Ball four more for 14 as the home side were skittled for 81.
Rob Bone (19) ad Tom Cotter (12) had the only double-figure scores.
Lewdown openers Ball (36no) and Tom Pengelly (22no), aided by 22 wides, whacked off the runs in 10.2 overs.
Lewdown’s win did Plympton 2ndXI no favours in the battle to dodge relegation.
PLYMPTON in the third relegation place are now 12 points behind Lewdown after their 25-run defeat away to promotion-chasing Hatherleigh.
A 76-run opening stand between Ryan Quick (35) and Adam Quick (63) was bettered by one of 77 by Adam Quick and Danny Forrester (45) in Hatherleigh’s total of 243 for nine. Zak Spears hit three sixes in a brisk 31 lower down.
Josh Caunter (0-27) and Steve Raven (0-22) bowled frugal spells for Plympton. Surya Suresh (5-77) picked up three of his wickets in the last over.
Plympton were 218 for eight when time ran out. Opener David Ackford (57) and Raven (82) both made sizeable contributions, but they needed one more score to get over the line and it did not happen.
Tom Strawbridge (0-25) and Adam Quick (2-35) gave little way, but veteran Richard Tidball (3-33) trumped them both.
