PLYMSTOCK won for the first time in five matches when they beat second-placed Thorverton by 40 runs.

Plymstock were promotion candidates themselves before embarking on their losing run, which had probably ended their promotion hopes.

The arithmetic may say it’s still possible for Plymstock to get up as they are only 14 points behind second place with 40 to play for.

James Nicholls, the Plymstock vice-captain, said the reality is the team is ‘in limbo’.

Nicholls added: “To be honest, it's just a case of see what happens over the next couple weeks.”

Plymstock lost opener Charles Martin two balls into the game, and took a cautious approach that took them to 181 for nine.

Nicholls made 41 off 90 balls, Scott Mansfield had 23 off 59 and Karl Vendrasco dug in to 37 off 52, Josh Hocken positively raced to his 22 off 31 deliveries.

Shane Yelverton (3-31) and Ben Coe (4-38) took the bowling honours for Thorverton.

Thorverton found runs even tougher to come by – and struggled to occupy the crease in the same was as Plymstock.

Opener Ali Chilcott made 36 off 97 balls and was sixth out on 116. Will Denford had already been and gone for 37 off 64 balls.

No one else made more than 13 as Thorverton were removed for 141.

Max Thomas had three of the first four wickets to fall. Jonny Norman (2-27) got into the middle order and Tom Mitch (3-22) accounted for some of the stragglers.

Pitch conditions made it hard for both sides, but Nicholls said Plymstock were worthy winners.

“We had control for most of the game and when we had a middle-order wobble our lower order got us up to a good score on a tough wicket,” said Nicholls.

“Our bowlers were then superb, Max was outstanding  again and Tom Mitch is getting  better every week and bowled a great spell. 

“Our fielding backed up our bowlers and we fully deserved the win.”

Thorverton skipper Andy Pitt remains confident his side can take the second promotion place behind champs-in-waiting Seaton.

Cullompton, who had no game last Saturday, play Thorverton this week, which is their chance to catch-up.

As Thorverton’s final game is against Kilmington, the race for second place could go right down to the wire.

Andy Pitt, the Thorverton captain, said: “It's going to be like two cup finals.

“We are just fortunate that it's still in our own hands and we don't need other results to go our way. 

“We need to play how we know we can.”

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