Foster and Acton speed Bradninch to victory

Matt Foster - runs and wickets for Bradninch in the win over Plymouth

BRADNINCH got back to business after a two-week lay off with a 141-run win over Plymouth.

Matt Foster top scored for Bradninch with 83 in a hefty total of 289 for seven at Kensham Park.

Gary Chappell (69) and Foster put on 112 for Bradninch’s second wicket before Riaz (3-43) spit them up.

Andy Buzza thwacked a rapid 59 not out off 37 balls – eight fours and a six – to help Bradninch add another 90 in the last 10 overs.

Plymouth were all out for 148 in reply, never fully getting over an early order collapse that saw them 10 for three in the sixth over.

Ben Stein, Dan Goodey and Jon Varcoe all went cheaply to Foster (4-18) or Ross Acton (2-10) as Plymouth wobbled from the start.

Riaz, whose 54 took him in sight of 800 league runs for the season, and Joe Hagan-Burt (30) foughtback in a stand of 70 but only Sam Stein (30) offered any worthwhile back-up after that.

“It was a great team performance and convincing win,” said Bradninch captain Chappell.

“We were in control of the game from the first over to the last.

“Good individual performances from Matt Foster and Andy Buzza to post 290, which was worth millions on a pitch that did a bit.

“Ross Acton and Matt Foster bowled well up front to kill the game and realistically their only hope was Riaz getting 150-plus

“Once Matt returned to get rid of him, it was only the formalities to go through.”

Bradninch are 51 points behind champs in waiting Bovey Tracey. The two teams meet at Ashburton Road this Saturday and if the leaders win the title is as good as theirs.

Defeat leaves Plymouth bottom of the table on 131 points, behind Exeter (139pts) and Heathcoat (141), who won at Exmouth to move 10 points clear of the city side.

Plymouth have four games to save themselves from a return to the A Division, exactly 10 years since they were promoted back into the top flight.

A win over North Devon at Mount Wise this Saturday is a must now for Sam Stein’s side.

Stein knows the pressure is on and his team has to act fast.

“It is not getting any easier for us, that’s for sure,” said Stein, whose side has 40-pointers coming up against fellow strugglers North Devon and Torquay.

“The next two games are very important.

“We know what we need to do, but it's executing it.”