By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

TORQUAY stay second behind leaders Exmouth in the A Division after a five-wicket win over Kilmington that was harder than it seemed.

Torquay appeared to have done the hard bit after bowling-out Kilmington for 113 with more than 15 overs unused.

Spinners prospered with acting captain Chris Kelmere (3-17) getting among the early order, Harry Baxendale and Joe Parker unsettling the middle order and Harry Passenger (4-15) accounting for most of the rest.

Joel Seward top scored with 20 for Kilmington, whose best partnership was one of 24 for the first wicket between Tom Gooding and Josh Short. Kelmere nabbed them both.

Torquay took few chances on the chase and at times found the bowling hard to get away. Josh Short (10-3-17-2) was a particular challenge and Seward (1-27) gave little to hit in his eight overs.

Tim Western (25) and Passenger (22) were the leading Torquay run makers. The chase was finished off by keeper Reuben Stanley (6no) and Somerset’s Sonny Baker (0no), who was testing his fitness after an injury lay-off.

Kelmere, standing in for the injured Tom Drake, said Torquay won the game in the field.

“Our fielding was the best it has been all season and team spirits were high,” said Kelmere.

“Our four spinners all bowled to a plan with discipline and control. 

“We still need to raise our game with the bat, but it's nice to have another convincing win for the team.”

While Torquay are looking up the table, Kilmington are in the opposite situation one place and 11 points clear of the relegation places.

Kilmington were hard hit by injury absences in round seven, something skipper Brett Garner hopes will not be a recurring feature of the season.

“Thankfully this week we should be back to something like full strength and hopefully can start to show more of what we are about,” said Garner

“Again our batting let us down, which is a bit worrying, but I was pleased with our bowling and fielding as we didn't collapse completely after the first-innings disappointment.”