King (pictured) centre of attention as Bideford go top in B Division | 'Josh again, was simply just too good with the new ball' – Bideford skipper Jack Ford

BIDEFORD gave Plymstock a taste of their own medicine when they bowled them out for a paltry 39 and sent them tumbling to a 182-run defeat.

The cricket boot was on the other foot two rounds ago when Plymstock skittled Ashburton for 34 and knocked-off the runs inside seven overs. This time the Dean Cross outfit were on the receiving end by a Bideford side that’s now top of the B Division table.

Openers Fawaaz Gallie (24) and Tom Brend (79) pointed Bideford in the right direction, then James Hayter (21) and skipper Jack Ford (40) shepherded the team towards an eventual total of 221 for six.

There was no stand greater than the one worth 63 for the third wicket between Brend and Hayter for the third wicket.

James Nicholls (2-32) was the lone Plymstock bowler with more than one wicket. Adam Frost (1.70), Rob Cunningham (2.80) and Chris Davies (3.60) were the cheapest bowlers in the attack.

Josh King, Bideford’s former Devon seamer, took his second five-wicket-or-more haul this summer to put the skids under Plymstock, King has taken 22 wickets in eight completed games at an average of 11.91 each.

Chris Luxton marked his return to first team duty with three for four. And there were two wickets for seamer Julian Hayter while the ball was new.

Thirteen extras contributed more to Plymstock’s total than any individual batter.

Victory took Bideford past Stoke Gabriel and Seaton to the top of the B Division table. Plymstock have dropped from fifth to eighth.

Skipper Ford said: “It was definitely our most complete performance of this season, if not since I’ve been captain. 

““Tom Brend’s knock at the top of the order, in the situation was outstanding. It was really pleasing to see him back in the runs.

“We were happy with 220 on a trickier wicket than normal at home, but knew that dangermen in their top six could make it hard to defend.

“Josh King again, was simply just too good with the new ball. Julian Hayter and Chris Luxton were absolutely awesome in backing him up and deserve huge amounts of credit. 

“Our fielding was spot on, and we fixed what we haven’t done so well in previous weeks with finishing teams off more efficiently.” 

Tom Mitch, the Plymstock captain, said: “We bowled okay, did well to restrict them to any more really.

“The pitch was tricky but they batted well and we probably quite weren’t threatening enough. 

“Sloppy in the field, take a couple of our chances and who knows what we could’ve held them to.

“I wouldn’t say too many threw their wicket away, just didn’t have enough fight against a very good spell from King.

“Bideford are a really good side and we seem to struggle at their place.”