PLYMSTOCK beat lowly South Devon by 54 runs to consolidate their position at the top of the B Division, where they are 10 points clear of Ivybridge.

Plymstock opener Jason Williams led the way to a sizeable tally of 262 all out with 68 off 70 balls.

Williams shared stands of 59 with James Nicholls, 71 with skipper Scott Mansfield (39) and 34 with former Bradninch bat Jack Horton (49).

Horton went on to make 49 before he was fourth out at 215 – the third scalp for spinner James Allen (3-75).

With 15 overs to go and wickets in hand, Plymstock looked set for a 300-plus total.

South Devon wheeled out veteran Dave Amery – a Devon O60s’ player – and his four for 36 slowed Plymstock right down.

South Devon set off in hot pursuit with opener Mark Andrews leading the way with 69.

Andrews took South Devon to 150 for four in reply, sharing stands of 58 with Dave Knowles (30), 40 with Divan Marais (15) and 49 with Paul Hooper (20).

Seb Jordan prised out Andrews and from then on South Devon lost wickets regularly.

Jordan (3-47), Bronte Bess (3-28) and Nicholls (1-20) all had wickets as South Devon slowed to 208 for nine.

Winning captain Mansfield said you shouldn’t complain when you are five from five, but he did see areas for improvement.

“We let South Devon back into the game when we should really batted them out of it.

"I think all of our batsman could take a look at themselves.

“Some got in and should take responsibility for not going on and others didn't get going and tried the big shots instead of getting themselves in.

“We are a team striving to be as good as we can be, which is why so many were disappointed with their own performance.

“It was another 19 points and with five wins out of five all is negative. We must be doing something right.”

Mansfield also gave credit to South Devon for going for it.

“They gave us a real fight when batting and had a real chance at drinks,” said Mansfield.

“Seb Jordan showed once again what he can do with ball in hand and was backed up by all the bowlers.”