DAVID Baldock fired his maiden Thorverton century to tee-up a six-wicket win over Ipplepen.
Baldock has made plenty of half-centuries in the past for Thors since joining from South Devon in 2012, but never bettered his 89 against Braunton in 2016.
Baldock went in when Thors were 48 for three with Paul Fielder and Ben Sapiecha (21) both out in the same over from Keith Wakeham (3-24) and batted through to the end.
Will Denford (29) joined Baldock at 70 for four and they put on 134 unbroken to win it with 14 balls to spare.
Baldock, who was dropped caught and bowled on 40, was on 97 with two needed to win. He hit Ben Forsey for four to settle it.
Pens total of 201 for nine owed much to a stand of 106 between Mawgan Penrice (63) and Callum Stanley (87). Stanley kept going until he was eighth out on 199.
There were two wickets each for Shane Yelverton, Ben Coe, Ben Slaviero and two run-outs.
Thorverton are back up to second in the B Division table behind leaders Seaton. Plymstock and Ipplepen both lost ground in a top-five now separated by 33 points.
PLYMSTOCK dropped back from second to fourth in the B Division after losing by 81 runs to form-side Bovey Tracey.
In a division where the top five have been taking it in turns to beat each other all season, Bovey have now won six in a row. It’s the four straight defeats prior to that which prevented them pushing for the top, until now.
Derek Perry rattled off 13 four en-route to 82 in Bovey’s total of 231 for six. He was involved in stands worth 174 before Tom Mitch got him out.
Brad Causey (32) and Freddie Eyston (36) both chipped in.
Ian Whalley (2-37) and Billt Gibson (2-48) were Plymstock’s leading wicket takers.
Plymstock were battered from the start by Chris Yabsley (3-16) and dipped to 32 for four. Hal Kerton (44) and Josh Hocken (49) staged a partial recovery but the damage was done and once Kerton went it was downhill all the way to 150 all out.
Perry (3-30) hastened the end with three wickets.
Plymstock are only seven points off the promotion places after another round of everyone beating everyone, so defeat was not a disaster.
“We aren't worried yet as it's still very much in our own hands,” said vice-captain James Nicholls.
“You can see how Bovey have gone on a run. They are a very strong side and outplayed us in all three aspects.
“We didn't bowl or field brilliantly and let them get 50 more than they should have.
“Then they came out and bowled really well so no complaints.
“We have a week off and then six massive games. Everyone is beating everyone so if we can put a little run together we won't be far away.”
BRIXHAM’S prospects of dodging the drop worsened after a five-wicket defeat against leaders Seaton.
It was Brixham’s chance to get ahead of Chudleigh and out of the relegation danger area. Instead they are 13 points behind a side that now has a game in hand on them.
Dhanana Lakshan was fourth out on 126 for a top score of 64 in Brixham total of 177 all out. Lakshan’s 105-run duet with Adam Edwards (24) was the only significant stand of the innings.
Ben Libby (3-26) was well supported by Ben Morgan (2-25) in the Seaton bowling attack.
Ryan Daye (74) was third out for Seaton with 25 needed to win and the game as good as over. Matt Hewer hit 39 up front.
CULLOMPTON drifted down to sixth in the table after they lost by 10-wickets at Kilmington.
Pakistani pro Jamal Anwar was back after injury and made 48 at the top of the order.
Worthwhile support was thin on the ground – only Todd Scrace (21) and Sam Franks (24) got into the 20s – in Cully’s all-out total of 1147.
Matt Reed (5-22) was the stand-out bowler for Kilmington, who wiped off the runs with consummate ease.
Openers Tom Gooding (68) and Brett Garner (59) had the game won midway through the 20th over.
Winning captain Garner said: “Hand on heart I’d have probably batted first if I’d won the toss. However, it was overcast and it was in my mind that the conditions would favour the bowlers, but losing the toss took any decision away from me.”
He continued: “The way we have been bowling and fielding this season has been superb and, had we batted better then I really do believe we’d be in the mix at the top end of the table.
“That said, there are still seven games to go and, if we can get some momentum going who’s to say we cannot yet force our way into the reckoning?”
On the ‘fivefer’ from Matt Reed, the skipper said: “Matt’s spell was as good as you will see at this level and his caught and bowled to remove the dangerous Brendon Parr was incredible and that single wicket gave us real momentum and belief.
“The run chase was very satisfying for we have not batted well this season, so it was good to get a big opening partnership even if was a bit fortunate with a few edges early doors when Jason Parr bowled superb, but he was let down by some very basic dropped catches which, had they been taken, might well have made things very interesting.
“Tommy [Tom Gooding] batted brilliant and looked back in some decent form which augers well for the second half of the season and out bid to climb the table.”
