MITCH Pugh turned in a devastating performance with the old ball to earn Torquay a win that looked unlikely over Paignton.

Torquay’s total of 206 all out with more than five overs to come didn’t seem enough when Paignton were 172 for four with 13 overs to go and Tristan Coetzee on 96 not out.

Dan Wightman spun out Coetzee the Cody Gertze trapped George Benton lbw.

Pugh did the rest, mowing down the lower order to finish with four wickets for 28 runs.

Steve George fell to the last ball of the match to give Torquay a nine-run win.

Torquay were bouncing along the bottom of the table at the start of June. Three wins on the spin have taken them up to sixth, 20 points clear of the drop spots.

Justin Yau, the Torquay captain, believes his side are now making headway after a  patchy start.

“It's a huge win in the context of our season and we are up and running now,” said Yau.

“It was an excellent game of cricket and I'm so proud of the boys, who kept fighting right until the death.

“We never gave up hope despite looking down and out numerous times.

“We bowled exceptionally well; particularly in our last 25 overs. Mitch Pugh didn't give them anything and Dan Wightman was outstanding.

“The bowlers did great it short spells and we mixed it up well to keep them guessing.

Paignton were extremely competitive and pushed us all the way until the end.

“The atmosphere at Queens Park was brilliant and I am glad the boys came through.

“We'll try and go four from four against North Devon this Saturday.”

Gertze (44) and George Allen (48) steered Torquay to 123 for three when Coetzee (3-52) got among them.

Nick Watkin (26) and Joe Thompson (28) joined forces at 124 for five and took 56 off the Paignton attack.

Debutant Sam Woodcock (4-37) prised out Watkin and took four of the last five wickets to fall with his leg-spin.

Coetzee dominated an opening Paignton stand of 63 with Dan Wolf, who made just six!

Bits and pieces kept the board moving until Wightman and Pugh got working. Noah Wright (29) was the only batter to last long once the slide started.

Paignton will go to Exeter this Saturday looking for a bounceback win.