Chappell (pictured) ton helps Bradninch & Kentisbeare take step closer to another Premier title | 'We went about setting a big total really well, and then got our bowling plans right when it mattered' – Chappell

BRADNINCH & Kentisbeare defeated Plymouth by 42 runs to take another step closer to retaining the Tolchards DCL Premier Division title they won last year.

An 18-point lead over Exmouth at the top of the table isn’t enough yet to clinch the top prize in Devon cricket, but it does give Gary Chappell’s side the edge.

There is still the first-against-second clash between the top two on the penultimate Saturday of the season between B&K and the title. That would be decisive if Gary Chappell’s men slip up against Paignton this Saturday.

Chappell’s century underpinned a Bradninch & Kentisbeare total of 300 all out in the 49th of their 50 overs.

Plymouth gave it a real good go in reply, and at 200 for with 10 overs to go were still in the running. Teddy Haffenden (23no) was just getting going.

Scoreboard pressure told on the last lap and wickets fell dealing with it. Plymouth’s last four batters – Haffenden among them for 48 fell for just 21 runs scored on the way to 258 all out.

Chappell (101) was involved in stands with Mitch Pugh (28), Jonathan Triner (25) and Adam Kent (30) that helped B&K reach 217 for five. Malusi Siboto (31) and Josh Farley (31no) kept the runs coming until the end.

Ethan Guest’s three-for-43 haul for Plymouth was as good as it got.

Half-centuries from Surya Suresh (58) and Jon Varcoe (73) took Plymouth to 113 for one on the chase.

Farley (2-52), Chappell (1-35) and the returning Ross Acton applied the brake for a while on a notoriously high-scoring ground.

The game turned during an over from and Andy Buzza (3-43), that removed Ben Stein then Haffenden four balls apart.

Siboto was called back into the attack and in the space of six legitimate balls – plus a wide – the last three wickets fell. Two run-outs ended it.

Chappell described it as a ‘good game’ on a ‘top track’ between two teams with positive intentions.

“Both sides played some really good stuff and it was a day for the batters,” said Chappell. “And credit to Plymouth, who gave the chase a really good go.

“From our perspective we went about setting a big total really well, and then got our bowling plans right when it mattered to make it hard work for Plymouth to target the short boundary.”

“We had a mixed first half – some bowled very well and some just leaked that boundary an over – which gave Bradninch & Kentisbeare an extra 40 runs or so,” said Plymouth skipper Sam Stein.

“We made a great effort in the second innings – JV and Surya batting brilliantly set us up very well – and made a good fist of chasing 300, but fell short.”

It was Plymouth’s fifth defeat in a row in the top flight and leaves them potentially vulnerable in the relegation dog fight to avoid going down with North Devon.

Only 17 points separate Plymouth (175pts) and second bottom Sidmouth (158) with 60 to play for. Spaced between them are Sandford (169) and Heathcoat (160).

With a run on of Sidmouth this Saturday, then North Devon and finally Paignton, the city side need to start winning again.

“Big game for us this weekend – and good availability with back-to-back games at home,” said Stein.