Thompson clubs quick fire 88 as Torquay & Kingskerswell race to victory over Plympton | Defeat spells end of Plympton's survival prospects

PLYMPTON’S relegation fate in the A Division appears to have been settled once and for all by a seven-wicket drubbing by Torquay & Kingskerswell.

A depleted Plympton side – especially in the bowling department – made 197 all out with opener Elliot Hamilton top scoring on 67.

Torquay & Kingskerswell opener Josh Thompson lashed 88 off 49 balls – 10 fours, five sixes – as the Seasiders raced to victory before the 24th over was finished.

Defeat leaves second-bottom Plympton 29 points adrift of safety with 40 to play for in the final two games.

The comments made after the game by Plympton skipper Harry Kandampully suggests he can see the writing on the wall.

“We will enjoy the next few weeks and try to play with a smile on our faces,” said Kandampully.

Hamilton and Finn Torley (37) gave Plympton a decent start by hoisting 98 for the first wicket in 19 overs. Then they lost Torley and Kandampully to Chris Kelmere (4-46) in the space of five balls.

Hamilton was fourth out on 149 – Harry Baxenadle (2-36) twirled him out – which left Manny Motswiri (33) to solider on as best he could.

Kelmere and Harry Passenger (3-43) worked through the lower order as Plympton lost their last five wickets for 20 runs.

“Again, we didn't bat 50 overs and that has been our undoing this season,” said Kandampully. “Players are getting set then getting themselves out.”

The limitations of the Plympton bowling attack were soon highlighted by Thompson going after anything short or with a bit of width – and a few that were neither!

Had Plympton held on to three opportunities Thompson offered – to be fair he was in the 80s the last time – they probably would have lost more slowly.

“Josh batted destructively, but at this level you can't afford to give batters multiple chances,” said Kandampully. 

Jamie Bailey, Isaac Rowsell, who bowled a 10-ball over that cost 22 runs, and Matt Draper all came in for the treatment.

Kandampully eventually had a go himself and broke an opening stand of 144 between Thompson and Tim Western. Umpire Paul Jordan gave him out lbw playing what looked like a reverse paddle.

Only Hamilton’s left-arm spin (2-27) was treated with any respect by the Torquay & Kingskerswell batters. He snared Western (38) lbw with the game virtually won and lost.

South African run machine Nathan Roux won it for Torquay by hitting Hamilton for a fifth and final boundary in his 39 not out.

“Well done Torquay, who were better than us in every department,” said the Plympton skipper.