CRICKET matches don’t get much better than Plymouth’s five-wicket win over Kilmington in what turned into the A Division’s match of the day.

Kilmington were going along nicely at 71 for two with runs in the book for Matt Rockett (39) and Josh Cann (21). A three-wicket burst from Salesh Reddy (4-50) helped reduce them to a wobbly 95 for six.

Before Plymouth could turn the screw any tighter, Kilmington’s Oli Read launched a brutal assault on the bowling  that brought him a maiden league century.

While Reed was clobbering 102 at one end, Joel Seward (31) was playing it safe at the other during a stand of 135 for the seventh wicket.

Plymouth were set 251 to win and got them with nearly four overs to spare. Ioan Phillips (50) and Rob Bennett (28) made early inroads into the deficit, but it was Teddy Haffenden at first wicket down who played the match-turning innings.

Haffenden, in at 67 for one, was last out for 83 with the total on 214.He was involved in stands that added 147, the key one being 89 for the fourth wicket with Jon Varcoe (24).

Sam White (18no) was in at the end when Varcoe put away the match-winning boundary off the bowling of Brett Garner.

Sam Stein, the Plymouth captain, said: “It is always good to win away, especially against a good side,.

“We made life slightly harder for ourselves by dropping Reed a few times, but he batted well and hit a clean ball. 

“Then very happy to see our local lads chase 250 without our overseas chipping in too heavily.

“Ioan, Ted, Robbie and JV were all excellent, which puts us in good stead for the season.”

Garner, who speaks on match action for Kilmington, both teams played a part in a cracking game.

“Credit to Plymouth as they chased down the total very well and batted brilliantly,” said Garner.

“Joel Seward anchored our innings superbly – and Oli Reed batted brilliantly for his first A Divisiion hundred to get us to a total which was probably 20-30 too few. But from 95 for six it was an amazing effort from them both.”