By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PLYMOUTH’S Premier Division season hit rock bottom when they crashed to a nine-wicket defeat in the basement battle at Paignton.

Plymouth were bowled out for 131 with more than 16 overs to go. Paignton had the runs knocked off in just 18.1 overs.

Hatherleigh’s win over Bovey Tracey, coupled with just two points earned from losing at Paignton, sent Plymouth to the bottom of the Premier table.

Plymouth are 19 points shy of safety with five games left to play their way out of danger.

Plymouth openers Teddy Haffenden (35) and Joe Hagan Burt (45) were the only batters to make significant progress at Queen’s Park.

Hagan-Burt was first out for 45 off 22 balls with the score on 58. Haffenden was seventh out on 127. He faced 95 deliveries. No one else made more than skipper Richard West (15).

The majority of the Plymouth middle-order was spun out by Paignton’s professional Divyaansh Saxena. The former Indian under-19 starlet took four for 30. Connor Ashworth and Sam Woodcock had two wickets each as Plymouth’s last five wickets fell for six runs scored.

Saxena is an ambidextrous bowler who is a left-arm spinner to right-handed batters and switches to right-arm spin for left-handers.

“He is clearly a very, very talented cricketer,” said Goldsby-West.

Saxena – who else? – then smacked 14 fours and a six on the way to 83 off 58 balls as Paignton raced to victory and out of the bottom three.

Harry Ward (22) was with Saxena for the first 67. Rory Medlock (22no) was there for the rest.

For Paignton it was a step in the right direction that put 15 points between them and the business end of the table.

“It was a superb performance,” said skipper Mark Orchard.

“We built pressure and took regular wickets when we bowled.

“And when we batted it was at a good pace and we did not give them a chance.”

Opposite number Goldsby-West did not mince his words summing-up the game.

“It was a big game and we didn't turn up,” said Goldsby-West.

“Joey batted well up top and got us off to a good start. Teddy batted well to dig in and buy some overs.

“With the ball we didn't get it right and Paignton made it look easy chasing down our total.”