Plymouth defeat North Devon to secure Premier Division status | 'Our aim at the start of the season was to come and secure our place in the division – and we have done it' – skipper Sam Stein

MISSION accomplished! That was the crystal clear message from the Plymouth dressing room after the four-wicket win over relegated North Devon that preserved the city side’s Premier Division status once and for all.

Plymouth were promoted as the third-placed club in the A Division this time last year as runners-up Bridestowe failed to meet Premier criteria. A merger with Belstone during the last close season cured that problem.

Plymouth were fifth in the Premier table at the half way stage, which suggested they had acclimatised well to their loftier surroundings.

Six defeats on the trot in the second half of the season pulled Plymouth into relegation territory and they needed a win against North Devon to be on the safe side. Beating North Devon  moved Plymouth 24 points clear of second-bottom Heathcoat with 20 left to play for.

Sam Stein, the Plymouth captain, said: “Our aim at the start of the season was to come and secure our place in the division – and we have done it.

“We had a great first half of the season, dipped in the second but have done enough across the year.”

North Devon were all out for 223 in the last of their 50 overs with no one making more than opener Jay Rothery (59).

A 76-run opening stand between Rothery and Fred King (30) was topped-up by Roshan Lakmal (38), Jack Moore (20) and Sam Wormington (22).

Plymouth’s Ben Stein spun out four North Devon batters for 42 runs. Ethan Guest had three more for 44. Matt Whalley (0-37) and Hal Kerton (1-18) were the most frugal of the 10-over  bowlers.

Other than a three-ball duck for Harry Ramsden, the top four all contributed towards a total of 95 for four. Teddy Haffenden was just out for 20.

The game was won and lost by a stand of 95 between Tom Hughes (30) and Whalley that got the score up to 190 for five.

Whalley, dropped on the boundary on 16, was still there at the end on 84 not out. He hit 10 fours and four sixes from 73 balls faced.

Nine bowlers had a trundle for North Devon – keeper Wormington and Alex Brooks were exempted – only Moore (2-39) took more than one wicket.

Said Stein: “It was great to see Matt Whalley step-up and show his class, very well aided by Tom Hughes, who played his role brilliantly.

“On to an enjoyable final game at Paignton with no pressure at all.”