ABBOTSKERSWELL raced to a nine-wicket win over Plymouth Civil Service that will underline their claim to be serious promotion contenders.

Civil reached the promotion play-offs and lost last season and are clearly no mugs on a cricket pitch.

With wins over Babbacombe and now Civil, Abbots are making a case that they won’t be staying long in the division after relegation last term.

There were three wickets each for Riccardo Small-Boyce (3-33) and Brett Williams (3-13)  as Abbots bowled out Civil for 171.

Rob Gaylard top scored with 29, Dan Sanders and Chris Newton both made 25s and skipper James Sharp had 20.

 Opener Charlie Mitchell (76no) and Tom Durman with a rapid 43 made a sprint start to the chase.

Williams (46no) was there for the last rites with Mitchell in the 28th of 45 overs had it gone anywhere near the distance.

Abbots’ skipper Charlie Hill said the stats didn’t tell the full story of the game.

“They got off to a good start but Noah Tobias bowled his nine overs (1-12) in quick time which tied them back,

“Ricky and Brett Williams bowled tightly for the last 10 overs, taking five for 25 between them.

“Tom Durman blasted 42 from 35 balls and with Charlie Mitchell and Brett getting going we took the game away from them.

“We have had a great first couple of games and are really looking to keep pushing forward into next week against Bridestowe.”