PLYMOUTH 2nd X booked a return ticket to the C Division West at the first attempt when they beat Yelverton by 85 runs.

Scroll back 12 months and the city side were down in the dumps after being condemned to relegation.

James Toms, who took over as captain this season, said playing with smiles on faces was a contributory element to the team’s success.

“We didn't put ourselves under any pressure, we just set out to enjoy our Saturdays, which would allow us to play good cricket,” said Toms.

“We managed that most weeks and it has turned out ok, as we obtained enough results over the line. 

“There has been a really good atmosphere around the club as a whole and the has been reflected with a strong season for all the teams.”

Plymouth may have every reason to celebrate now, but Yelverton go into the last batch of matches looking over their shoulders.

Only five points separate Yelverton (197pts), Barton 2nd XI (196) and Kenn (192), all of whom are vying to avoid going down with Babbacombe.

Who do Yelverton play on the last day? Barton at Barton. It really will be a winner-takes-all match. Kenn’s last game is at home to Ivybridge 2nd XI.

Openers Jon Kerridge (89) and James Webb (41) gave Plymouth a 129-run start, which proved just as well in the grand scheme of things. Only Jake Smith (23) made double figures after that as Plymouth fell away to 188 all out. Losing six wickets for 13 runs mid-innings did not help!

Yelverton’s Hadleigh Scott-Kirk (5-24) got into the top order. Josh Stevenson and Ed Sorensen bagged a couple of wickets each.

Yelverton’s response barely got out of second gear as they misfired from 42 for two to 78 for seven and on to 103 all out. Fred Smale and Sorensen both made 20. There was not a lot from the rest.

Four Plymouth bowlers had two wickets each: Aziz Rahmanzai, Ben Smith, Kerridge and Melissa Banks.