Southgate (pictured) and Small steer Sandford to victory over Plymouth

PLYMOUTH sank deeper into relegation danger in the Premier Division following a four-wicket defeat at Sandford.

The city side were bowed out for 236, which Sandford polished off with more than five overs to spare.

Plymouth remain one place above the bottom two relegation places, but the gap between them, Sidmouth and Tavistock has narrowed to just three points.

The picture at the bottom of the table could change dramatically this Saturday as Sidmouth entertain Tavistock and Plymouth visit Hatherleigh, who are one place and five points ahead of them.

Hemu Hirani (31) and Jonty Rapulana (33) got Plymouth off to a 70-run start between them. 

Suresh Sureya top scored with 97 and was involved in stands that took Plymouth to 216 for seven.

Sureya was three runs short of a maiden Premier Division century when he was stumped going after the bowling of Sandford’s Tanbir Hayer (3-45). Jackson Thompson’s three for 41 was among the bowling highlights.

Sandford’s run-chase started with a stutter – they were 23 for three – but a partnership of 140 between Harry Southgate and Adam Small put them back on course.

Small went first for 71, stumped off Sam Stein, but Southgate took Sandford within six runs of victory with a patient 93 off 120 balls. Game over.