CHUDLEIGH pulled off a surprise nine-run win over Plympton to stay clear of the relegation places and heap a bit more pressure on their second-bottom visitors.

It appeared Plympton had done the hard bit by limiting Chudleigh to 180 for nine – Imran Ali Pasha taking five wickets for 20 runs in his 10 overs.

Christian Bunney then claimed a half century as Plympton got to 140 for three in reply with seven overs left to make 40 to win – stiff but gettable

Enter Matt Heather with a five-wicket burst that sent Plympton tumbling to 171 all out.

“It was a fantastic effort from the boys,” said Chudleigh’s stand-in skipper Mark Solway.

“Plympton needed 36 off six with five wickets left and threw it away. “Matt heather’s swing bowling was first class and Ben Hollmes was bowling quick at the death.”

The only compensation for Plympton is they are no worse off than before as bottom side Ipplepen lost to Budleigh and fellow strugglers Hatherleigh were trounced by leaders Bradninch.

Chudleigh did well to reach 180 for nine as they were 27 for three after an early pummelling from Imran and acting captain Ryan Skinner.

Corey Sinclair went in at third wicket down and batted through for an unbeaten 91 to hold the innings together.

Heather made 37 in a stand of 54 with Kiwi Sinclair before the returning Pasha bagged him lbw.

No one else reached double figures as Plymptons bowlers, in particular Craig Donohue and Josh Mailling, dominated.

Mailling failed with the bat – out for none to Matt Ball – but Andy Walter (28), David Ackford (28) and Bunney (50) made progress in the right direction,

Losing Bunney the David Wrench (24) in successive balls was the start of Plympton’s problems.

Heather and Ben Holmes (2-39) kept picking up wickets and once into the tail it was over in a hurry, the last four men going for a measly eight runs.