Donovan and Ferro bat CSG into winning position against Ipplepen | Wakeham (pictured) belts bowling in Pens' late revival

IPPLEPEN’S relegation worries increased after they lost by 93 runs at Clyst St George.

The only consolation for skipper Matt Beasant, who sat out the game due to injury, is that none of three sides directly above his won either.

Although Pens are no worse off than they were, they have more to do than any of the teams ahead of them to reach safety as they are still in the bottom two.

Matt Beasant, the Ipplepen captain, said the team can still play its way to safety.

“Luckily, other results went our way and we are still in control of our situation,” said Beasant. “But we absolutely need two good wins to guarantee safety.

“Time isn't on our side anymore, so we have to perform better than we did in all three aspects against Clyst.”

At the other end of the table it is hard to see anyone catching leaders Budleigh Salterton in the last two games, but Plymstock (231pts), Ivybridge (227) and Clyst (226) are all in the running for second spot.

Clyst’s final two games are against relegation candidates Stoke Gabriel and doomed Abbotskerswell.

Second and third-placed Plymstock and Ivybridge meet on the last day as the promotion race simmers away to the end. No pressure there then!

Wiehann Meyer’s five-for-25 bowling return helped dismiss Ipplepen for 168, paving the way for a win that keeps St George in with a promotion shout.

Meyer’s batting glitch – out first ball to Aiden Phillips – was quickly forgotten as Chris Ferro (75) and Andrew Donovan (104no) took Clyst to 261 for four. Their stand of 162 for the fourth wicket was crucial.

“Donovan's 100 was brilliant, but we gifted some lives and probably leaked 40 in the field alone,” said Pens’ captain Matt Beasant.

Seven bowlers had a trundle for the Pens. Henry Alsop finally removed Ferro on 219 after a 29-ball stay.

Ipplepen were holed below the waterline at 35 for five before Meyer finished with them – and were 61 for six when he had.

It looked all over at 95 for nine – Donovan and Bertie Creer among the wickets – but not quite.

Sam Wakeham belted the bowling for 83 off 40 balls –11 fours, five sixes – before Donovan had him caught on the boundary at ‘cow-shot corner’.

“It was great to see the best of Sam Wakeham with a brutal innings batting with the lower order,” said Beasant.