BRADNINCH were on the ropes at home to Plympton but boxed clever when it mattered to win a tense affair by four wickets.

The A Division leaders must have fancied their chances of racking up another win after holding Plympton to 164 for eight in a 31-overs-each game.

All of Plympton’s top seven made double-figure scores with Josh Mailling (32), Imran Ali Pasha (29) and Harry Kandampully (20) the pick of the bunch.

Cameron Suidgeest had three for 29 off six overs and Andy Buzza two for 24.

The game looked a lot different when Bradninch were 80 for five in reply – and 111 for six then 135 for seven was hardly an improvement.

Skinner (2-32), Mailling and Craig Donohue did the early damage to the Bradninch bating with Ross Acton (30) the only batter to linger long.

For Plympton’s acting captain Ryan Skinner, who will be deputising for up to a month while Dan Robotham is sidelined with an ankle injury, it was one that got way.

Skinner said the game turned when keeper Dave Wrench had to go off injured, which disrupted the side in a big way.

“Wrenchie was it in the mouth by the ball and had to go off to be treated,” said Skinner.

“That meant for the last 10 overs we had a stand-in wicketkeeper and a supporter fielding to make up the numbers.

“The next over after Wrenchie went off Bradninch edged one through the slips for four, then got four byes as well.

“Having been in a strong position with them needing 120 to win off the last 15 overs, we got a bit ragged in the field.

“We thought we had it won, but it wasn’t to be.”

Ross Acton had kept Bradninch in the game with a dogged 30 off 45 balls, then Lautro Mussani (42) and Tom Bunker (13) started the comeback that Suidgeest finished off.

Aussie Suidgeest saw Bradninch home with a rapid 42 off just 16 balls as a game they looked like winning got away from Plympton.

Winning captain Tim Piper said strength in depth was the key to Bradninch’s win.

“Plympton played better than us in most areas of the game, but they couldn't close it out,” said Piper.

“We bat all the way down and we confirmed that against Plympton.

“Getting the right result in games like that is how teams win titles.”

On Bradninch’s situation at the top of the table, Piper said: “

We have a healthy lead.

“The next four games are all tough, but If we have a good July, it'll practically be done and dusted.”