Plymouth defeat Exeter by four runs in nail-gnawing encounter | Randev (pictured) makes best of double let-off to smash 159 not out | 'Rahul was unbelievable for his 159, which contained some outrageous hitting' – Sam Stein

EXETER could only reflect on what might have been after going down by just four runs to Plymouth in an inter-city thriller at Mount Wise.

Rahul Randev opened the batting for Plymouth, and was still there after 50 overs on 159 not out in a total of 259 for eight.

What the scorebook did not say was that Randev was dropped on nought in the first over down from Tom Simmons – and had more good fortune in the same over when a ball hit the stumps but the bails stayed on.

“Randev went on to play a remarkable innings,” was the generous comment from Exeter captain Clint McCabe.

Sam Mycock and Sam Read both made half-centuries in the Exeter reply, which got down to the final over from Mekyle Pillay with ten needed to win and last pair Josh Nott and Tom Simmons in the middle. Three balls later and five runs closer, Pillay bowled Nott to give Plymouth victory.

Randev, who hit 22 fours and seven sixes during a 153-ball occupation of the crease, accumulated runs in a succession of partnerships that grew as the innings went on.

Teddy Haffenden, Matt Whalley and Pillay made double-figure contributions to getting the score up to 122 for six. Jon Varcoe (20) and Ethan Guest (17) were running mates adding 60 and 71 respectively for the seventh and eighth wickets.

“Rahul was unbelievable for his 159, which contained some outrageous hitting,” said Plymouth captain Sam Stein.

Exeter’s Devon duo, Nott (3-31) and Read, (0-19 off 10), offered few scoring opportunities. McCabe (2-32) gave little away.

Exeter started hesitantly, they were seven for two in the sixth over, but picked up the pace while Mycock and Read added 114 for the fourth wicket.

Mycock went first for 61, bowled by Stein, but Read kept going with Charlie Clist (29) as the reply reached 210 for four with 10 overs to go. 

The longer Read batted, the more Plymouth’s chances of winning receded. Then Read got out, caught at slip by Stein off Whalley, quickly followed by Clist and Robin Fern.

The longer Read batted, the more Plymouth’s chances of winning receded. Then Read got out, caught at slip by Stein off Whalley, quickly followed by Clist and Robin Fern.

“Getting Read was key for us,” said Stein. “Then everyone bowled very well and we hung in the game, which was to-and-fro all the way.”

“Sam Read was excellent all round once again,” said McCabe.

Pillay (3-36) came back for a second spell; Hal Kerton knocked over Will Price, as 232 for seven became 234 for nine, and there were chewed nails all round going into a tense last over.

Said Stein: “I didn't think it was going to end up as close as it did, but what a great win for us!”