James Burke - runs on the chase for Plymouth

PLYMOUTH sprung a shock when they defeated Premier leaders Exeter by eight wickets at Mount Wise

Victory moved Plymouth into the top half of the table for the first time in the season. They now have a 51-point gap between them and the relegation places.

Defeat cost Exeter top spot and allowed Heathcoat and Sidmouth to go past them.

Plymouth were tipped as title contenders at the start of the season, but for the first month failed to live up to that billing.

With none of the top three running away with the league, Plymouth have a great chance of making-up the 30 points between them and the new leaders if they keep winning.

John Varcoe, the Plymouth captain, clearly feels something is stirring down at Mount Wise.

“I am feeling very excited for the rest of the season to see how far this team can go,” said Varcoe.

Losing opener and captain Alex Barrow for no score wasn’t a great start for Exeter, but Ben Green (64) and Rob Holman (18) appeared to have the situation under control as they put on 43.

Holman went first, spun out by Fiazan Riaz, but there were no real problems until Shaun Morris and Harvey Sargent went in the space of three balls.

Green kept his end intact while wickets fell at the other end, mostly to left-arm spinner Matt Petherbridge.

Petherbridge’s five for 31 included three wickets in four balls that included Green as the slide gathered pace.

Sam Stein – none for 15 from six overs – was the unluckiest bowler in the Plymouth attack.

Exeter were all out for 119, which Plymouth knocked off well inside 20 overs.

James Burke (42) and Riaz (52no) took the pursuit to 92 for two, at which point Hal Kerton (11no) came in for the last rites.

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