Mitch performs the hat-trick as leaders crunch Ipplepen | 'Obviously good to contribute with bat and ball to a massive team performance that made it four out of four' Tom Mitch

PLYMSTOCK skipper Tom Mitch performed the hat-trick to speed the B Division table toppers to a thumping 173-run win over Ipplepen.

Tyrese Karelse rattled-up a top score of 77 for Plymstock in their 45-over total of 225 all out. George Tapley and Ross Kennard claimed three wicket each for the Pens.

After the Pens slumped to 27 for four in reply, it seemed Plymstock had more than enough. Rob Cunningham (2-17) and Archie Hall (2-10) took early wickets.

Any doubts about the outcome were dispelled during the three-ball spell when Mitch accounted for Toby Holroyd, Aiden Phillips and George Tapley one after the other. All three victims were given out lbw.

Ipplepen were done and dusted at that point at 31 for seven. All that remained was for Mitch (4-16) and Karelse (2-9) to mop-up the stragglers. They were all out for 52.

Mitch had a decent game all-round as he also shared a third-wicket stand of 88 with Karelese, into which he contributed 31. James Nicholls chipped in with 25.

Although picking a man-of-the-match would not have been too taxing, the obvious nominee was eager to spread the credit around.

“Obviously good to contribute with bat and ball to a massive team performance that made it four out of four,” said Mitch.

“We set a strong total after being put in. Tyrese was brilliant and everyone else chipped in around him.

“Our bowling was perfect. Archie and Rob took wickets early, and there was no let up for Ipplepen to get back into the game. 

“It was another great performance and generated lots of momentum going into a toughie against Braunton this Saturday.”

Matt Beasant, the Ipplepen captain, said had big decisions gone their way it could have been a different story.

 “We felt unlucky not to get Karelse with two huge lbw shouts at the beginning of his innings.”

As for positives, Beasand said: “George Tapley bowled brilliantly and it was good to see Warrick Green in the wickets and to have Aidan Phillips bowling again, even if only off half a run-up.

“I can forgive a bad week with the bat on a tricky pitch when we were chasing far more than we probably should have been.

“Fair play to Tom Mitch as well: hat-tricks don't come around often.”