By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

STOKE Gabriel landed the consolation prize of the Devon League’s Tier Three title when they defeated Kilmington by 12 runs in the play-off final.

Stoke needed a pick-me-up after losing to Ashburton in the Aaron Printers Cup final in their previous outing.

And when skipper and opener Jack Tolley was dismissed two balls into Stoke’s innings without bothering the scorers, the portents were not good.

Mike Meach dropped anchor for a patient 27 by way of consolidation, then Seb Ansley belted five sixes and seven fours while racing to 79 off 51 balls.

Mark Edwards (33) and Ant Kanwar (37) kept the runs coming as Stoke posted 219 for seven’

When Kilmington were 112 for two in reply with opener Josh Short on the way to a hundred, it seemed Stoke were heading for defeat.

Short was dropped twice on his way to 104 – 80- coming in boundaries – and my the time Ansley (2-28) sent him on his way the target was 29 to win with four wickets in hand.

Tolley accounted for Matt Reed, Rob Crabb departed to Jake Robinson and Tolley bowled out 10 and 11 as Kilmington faded to 207 all out.

Tolley was the first to concede it was an unlikely win, although his four-for-24 haul may have had something to do with it.

“I don't know how we pulled it back like that,” said Tolley.

“We bowled well to their middle and lower order, and the wickets came.”

OTHER PLAY-OFF GAMES

PAIGNTON II v UPOTTERY | THORVERTON v TOPSHAM St JAMES | IPPLEPEN v PLYMPTON II