TORQUAY skipper Tom Drake knew there was a potential banana skin lying in wait at Abbotskerswell as he referred to it in his pre-match comments.

Not only had some joker left a banana skin in the away dressing room at Two Mile Oak, even Drake found that amusing, but there was one waiting out on the pitch too for the promotion chasers.

Abbotskerswell, closer to the bottom than the top of the table going into the game, were all out for 173. That was a few too many for Torquay to knock-off though as they were dismissed for 164 and lost by nine runs.

Nick Watkin, the Abbotskerswell captain, could barely hide elation at putting one over on his former Torquay team-mates.,

"I was pleased we were able to be a banana skin to a team chasing promotion,” said Watkin.

”It shows what can be achieved by great team spirit and by sticking and working together even when huge underdogs.

“We battled hard to get to 173 then bowled and fielded brilliantly as a unit.

“And I was delighted for Jake Fox, whose two wickets in quick succession swung the game in our favour.”

For Drake it was not a game to dwell on for long.

“We probably gave 20-30 runs too many with fielding errors costing us,” said Drake.

“Batting wise, we did not apply ourselves. I backed us to chase the score but we somewhat lacked intent. We lost wickets in clumps, which did not help

“Not our finest game and one to put behind us.”

Nathan Walker top scored on 39 from 75 balls for Abbots with runs either side of him for Chris Sleep (35) and Ed Smout-Cooper (22) up top, and James Tyler (20) below contributing to the final total.

Spin was king for Torquay with five wickets for former Abbots all-rounder Chris Kelmere (5-28) and three for Harry Baxendale (3-27).

None of Torquay’s batters made it past 30, although Jiniv Joshi and extras (both 29) were not far off.

A clutch of double-figure scores – Kelmere’s 19 the best of them – made steady inroads into the total.

Fox, just 16, accounted for Drake and Somerset staffer Sonny Baker to leave Torquay 127 for seven.

There were three wickets for Charlie Smout-Cooper and two each for Watkin and Jay Hussain in the final totting up.

Torquay stay second in the table behind Exmouth, but are 27 points adrift at the top and now have Exeter breathing down their necks.