PLYMSTOCK had the edge in a high-scoring game at Thorverton.

Jack Horton’s run of form continued with 87 off 78 balls for Plymstock in a total of 267 all out.

Horton has scored 81 not out, 67 not out and 87 out in three trips to the crease this season.

Jason Williams opened up with 49 and put on 52 with Nick Carter (38) after James Nicholls went cheaply.

Horton and St Lucian Bronte Bess - he biffed 52 off 26 balls, seven of which he lashed for six – gave the Thorverton bowlers little respite in the second half of the innings.

Adriane Morrison – three for 44 off nine – was effective for Thors and Jake Choules (1-39 off nine) as the most economical.

Thorverton went all out for the runs from the workd go and at 193 for five with David Baldock on 57 not out looked favourites.

Paul Fielder (21), Graham White (23) and James Hope (21) had all chipped in to the chase.

The turning point was losing Morrison for 34, Baldiock for 61 and Andy Pitts cheaply.

Thors 193 for six became 205 for eight and despite a good effort from tail-enders Ranulph Harvey-Kelly (19) and Jake Crouch (18) they fell short on 238.

There were three wickets each for Ian Whalley (3-35) and Bess, whose similar three for 35 included Baldock.

“It ended up closer than I had hoped for considering we had 268 on the board,” said Plymstock captain Scott Mansfield.

“Jack Horton batted superbly, the only down side being he didn't quite make it to a deserved ton. 

“Big-hitting Bronte Bess showed the kind of power he holds hitting effortless sixes on his way to his first 50 for the club.”

Mansfield said there was reason why the game was closer than he felt it should have been.

We didn't really bowl very well which was disappointing but it happens,” he said.

“The guys turned it around in the last 15 overs to put pressure on the Thorverton batsman and it paid off in the end with wickets falling consistently.”

Thorverton skipper White insisted he isn’t too worried about Thorverton’s losing streak despite a third successive defeat.

This time last year Thorverton couldn’t win a game either and it wasn’t until half way that things improved. They won nine on the trot and just missed out on promotion.

White said the defeats had to be put into context, which is why he can cope with the results so far.

“The teams who hav e beaten us so far are Ottery, Ivybridge and now Plymstock – that’s three of the top four,” said White.

“Unlike last year we have been competitive in every game we have played and not been hammered.

“It isn’t the start I would have liked, but we have the top teams out of the way now for a while and I am confident we will start picking up points.”