PLYMOUTH’S Premier Division promotion prospects suffered a minor setback when Kilmington defeated them by seven wickets at Mount Wise.

Rob Bennett made a top score of 45 for Plymouth, who were held to 197 for seven in their 50 overs.

An unbeaten century from Aussie Joel Whelan, his second of the summer, put Kilmington on course to knock-off the runs with exactly nine overs to spare.

Plymouth went into the game right behind leaders North Devon, but came away from it down to fourth with 10 points between them and second-place newcomers Torquay & Kingskerswell.

Rob Bennett top scored with 45 for Plymouth and was involved in stands that added 120 after going in at 37 for one. Harry Witcher (33) and Teddy Haffenden (21) were the supporting acts.

Richard Goldsby-West (33) and Tom Hughes (26no) took over after Bennett’s demise at 157 for five.

Rob Crabb (2-31), Joel Seward (1-35) and Ben Fuzzard (0-35) limited Plymouth’s run-getting options. Ollie Reed (3-36) picked-up wickets in his second spell.

Kilmington lost wickets at 72, 91 and 103 while chasing. Tom Gooding went first for 41, Crabb and Brett Garner went cheaply, which left Seward (28) to manage one end while Whelan got on with it at the other. Plymouth’s Saiesh Reddy took all three wickets to fall.

Brett Garner, who speaks on team affairs for Kilmington, said: “It was a fantastic all-round performance to keep Plymouth down to 197.

“With only five bowlers fit and available was a great effort, especially from Ben Fuzzard. He was injured and wasn't expected to bowl because of a knee injury.

“Tommy Gooding and Joel Whelan got us off to a flier and from then on 'Wheels' guided us home brilliantly with superb support from captain for the day Joel Seward to see us to a commanding victory.

“With availability now looking like improving from next week, we hope to be able to push on from probably our best performance of the season and finish the last part strongly… hopefully!”

Sam Stein, the Plymouth captain, said what was lacking was an innings to hang a defendable total on.

“None of us really kicked on at the top after all making starts,” said Stein.

“We all got ourselves in, but it needed 70 or 80 from someone. Our lower middle order did well to sneak us up near 200.”

Stein also felt there was room for improvement when Kilmington batted.

“We just needed to take a few of our chances created and it could have been different,” said Stein.

“It just wasn't our day and we move on swiftly to Hatherleigh next.”