Gqamana (pictured) holds Paignton innings together in win at Tavistock | 'Aya was superb on a tricky wicket and was well supported by the lower order' – Harry Ward

PAIGNTON go into Saturday’s Premier Division match-of-the-day in winning form after turning over Tavistock by 48 runs.

That’s four league wins on the trot for Harry Ward’s second-placed side, who trail unbeaten Exmouth by 10 points. Win on Saturday and those placings should be reversed. 

Tavistock have not won since round two when fellow strugglers Sidmouth were thrashed by 199 runs. Four defeats and three rain-offs have followed, which has left them one off the bottom.

Paignton got to 169 all out by a scenic route that stopped-off at 24 for three, 98 for six and 142 for eight. Aya Gqamana (60) was involved in stands that added 127. Connor Ashworth’s 20 going in at 104 for seven proved crucial in the final totting up.

James McGahey (2-34) and Ahmad Hassan (2-44) were Tavistock’s new-ball wicket takers. Tom Clarke (4-41) dealt with most of the middle order.

“I may have got the toss slightly wrong, as we ended up batting in the more difficult conditions,” said Ward. 

“However, Aya was superb on a tricky wicket and was well supported by the lower order. I felt 150 was probably a par score, so to post 170 was a fantastic effort.”

Tavistock found runs hard to score against Gqamana (1-21), Charlie Ward, Ashworth (1-24) and Luke Medlock (1-13). When Elliot Hamilton was fourth out on 50, he had made 33 of them.

Tom Sherrell, on his Premier debut, made 26 in a losing cause as Tavvy slid to 121 all out.

Spinner Rory Medlock (5-45) wiped out the middle order, which left Devon seamer Ward (2-14) and Gqamana to skittle the stragglers.

“Charlie and Aya once again set the tone, while Rory was outstanding with the ball and thoroughly deserved his success,” said the happy Paignton captain. 

“Rory was well backed-up by Connor, Luke and Stephen George, making it a real team performance.”

Sean Cleave, the Tavistock captain, said it was ‘another disappointing day’ but not a disaster.

“There is still lots to play for and we must keep working hard together,” added Cleave.

[O] TAVISTOCK have strengthened their squad by signing keeper-batter Harry Witcher from Premier rivals Plymouth.