CONNOR Ashworth took the big wickets to speed Paignton to a 60-run win at Ipplepen.
Paignton made 187 for eight in their 50 overs, which skipper Chris Kelmere feared might not be enough.
Pens got to 76 for two on the chase with Sam deFriend and Seb Powell settled in nicely.
Ashworth picked up Powell (12) and deFriend (35), prompting an Ippelpen wobble. Wickets tumbled - 76 for two became 81 for five then 97 for seven and after that it was only a question of time.
“We did well to defend a score that shouldn't have been enough after the wicket dried up as the day went on,” said Kelmere.
“Connor Ashworth lead the way with the ball, in what was a highly committed team effort.”
Dan Wolf (37) and Connor Bryan (30) went off fast for Paignton, putting on 60 without loss.
Joe Abbott (2-38) slowed things briefly, as did Paul Thomas and Powell, then Richard Ashworth (23) and Rob Shergold (32) got things moving again.
There was a brief stumble as Ashworth and Kelmere went in the space of three balls, leaving Paignton 120 for six.
Carl Woolnough – 36 off 33 balls with three sixes – put bat to ball to good effect to speed Paignton along in the latter overs.
“It was a good team performance to get the score we did on a wet, green pitch,” said Kelmere. “Carl Wolnough and Rob Shergold provided vital contributions in the middle order.”
Opener Steve Bowden didn’t last long for Ipplepen as Kevn Hinton bowled him in the third over.
Once Powell and deFriend had been and gone, Ashworth and Kelmere spun the middle order to a near standstill.
“We batted tightly for 30 overs to set a platform, but needing 120 off 20 were strangled by Kelmere and Ashworth,” admitted Pens’ skipper Keith Wakeham.
Connor Ashworth finished with five for 36 and Kelmere three for 24 as Pens faded to 127 all out.
That’s two straight defeats now for Pens following promotion, although Wakeham said he saw signs of an improvement.
“Paignton showed better bowling discipline, but we are learning and competed for 70 overs instead of the 60 last week,” said Wakeham.
