DEVON Over-50s are one win away from the knockout stages of the County Championship after demolishing the Isle of Wight by 237 runs.
Devon totted up 358 for four in 50 overs on the Mount Wise ground in Plymouth then skittled the Islanders for 121 in reply.
Victory puts Devon’s unbeaten golden oldies joint top of their qualifying pool. They need to win one of their last four games against Hants, Wilts, Dorset or Somerset to qualify for the knockout stages.
Plymouth’s Steve Luffman blazed away for an unbeaten 112 at run-a-ball rate as Devon piled up the runs.
Chris Cook (57) and Ian Hayter (48) had already put on 103 for the second wicket when Luffman went in at 132 for two.
There was a stand of 44 with Dickie Pyle (24) just to get going. The fireworks came when Terry Farkins went out to join Luffman at 187 for four.
Luffman, who hit 10 fours and four sixes, shared an unbroken stand of 171 with Farkins, who made 55 not out.
Devon were clearly favourities before the Islanders went out to bat, and any doubts would have been dispelled by the time they slumped to 18 for three.
Devon’s spinners – Gary Spencer (2-10), Steve Moore (1-16) and Chris Cook (3-20) took control as the Isle of Wight were hustled out for 121 with more than 10 overs to go.
