Chudleigh take chance to pull away from drop zone

PLYMSTOCK missed a chance to pull away from the A Division drop spots when they went down by 105 runs at Chudleigh.

Chudleigh have been bouncing around in the bottom half of the table most of the season and would have been on Plymstock’s target list.

Instead of gaining ground Plymstock are worse off than before as fellow strugglers Brixham and Ivybridge both won.

Plymstock go into this Saturday’s game against Cornwood 25 points away from safety and with seven games left to bale themselves out of trouble.

Grant Stone, Chudleigh’s overseas player, helped himself to 147 faster than run-a-ball rate in a home total of 255 for six.

Stone hit 20 fours and three sixes – that’s 98 in boundaries – during his 165-minute stay.

Along the way there were stands of 90 with opening partner Mark Solway – he made 21 – and 80 with skipper Ed Foreman (24).

Rob Clarke made a brisk 20 at the end.

Pick of the bowlers for Plymstock wickets-wise were James Nicholls (2-41) and Charles Martin (2-48).

Matt Ball, returning to his old club with his current one, bowed seven tidy overs for 25 runs.

Plymstock lacked the anchorman to hand a partnership or two on that would make a chase viable.

Losing opener Teddy Richards first ball to Ben Holmes didn’t help, but there was no collapse either.

Batters got in, got set and got out again. No one made more than Jack Horton, who swished 40 off 22 balls.

Callum Heath topped the bowling stats for Chudleigh with four for 39. Mark Russell, who has stepped up from E Division West cricket with Stokeinteignhead this season, had three for 19 from eight tidy overs.

Scott Mansfield, the Plymstock captain, said the side batting first would have had an advantage. But losing the toss wasn’t the reason his team lost.

“We were extremely flat in the field throughout,” said Mansfield.

‘Stone batted well and showed what one batsman can do if willing to show application and bat time.

“Batting-wise we didn't rotate the strike and against the bowling attack Chudleigh have that is a must.

“Credit to Chudleigh. They bowled at the stumps and waited for the mistake.

“But we are still in the fight and must pick ourselves up and go again this Saturday.”