IPPLEPEN defeated Ivybridge by 34 runs in an end-of-season encounter with Ipplepen.

Although Ipplepen had an outside chance of stealing the second promotion place behind champs-elect Thorverton, there was little riding on the game from the start.

Opener Tom Durman made a top score of 69 for the Pens, who went all the way to 253 for eight.

Durman was involved in stands totalling 143 with Marcus Gadie (25), Toby Holroyd (7) and Neil Hancock (42) before Jacob Kopparambil (1-49) prised him out.

Mawgan Penrice with a run-a-ball 59 not out kept the scoreboard numbers flashing after Hancock fell lbw to Ivybridge skipper Adam Huxtable (3-47).

Ivybridge were hesitant at first – they were 78 for five when Dinesh Raheja was just out to Hancock (2-46) for 30 – but had nothing to lose and regrouped for a second attempt at chasing.

Former skipper Harry Solomon dug in for 66 and while he and Dan Smith (27) stayed together the target kept coming down in a stand of 82 for the seven wicket.

Solomon was the last man out in the final over for 66 having been involved in partnerships that added 143 runs to the total.

There were two wickets each for Pens’ bowlers Durman, Ashley Harvey, Hancock and spinner Will Castleton.

Simon Tapley, the team manager, said Ipplepen were good value for their win and third place in the final table.

“We played some good cricket and fully deserved the 20 points,” said Tapley.

Had Ipplepen been able to play second-placed Kilmington – both games were called off – the promotion outcomes may have been different.

“There is a slight tinge of disappointment that we didn't have chance to test ourselves against Kilmington, but we have had the chance to develop our younger cricketers and we hope to go one better next year,” said Tapley.

CHUDLEIGH’S in-form skipper Will Heather had a day to forget when his side faced relegated Plymstock.

Heather was dismissed for 98, just two runs short of his first league ton since 2016, and his side tumbled to an eight-wicket defeat against a side on the way down.

Said Heather: It was a disappointing end to the season, but Plymstock were the better side on the day.”

Heather said the positives outweighed the negatives by a distance and a mid-table finish was a real achievement.

“There have been some very good team performances this season and some cracking results,” said Heather. 

“It has been a successful season on the field for the club. We have maintained our first-team’s league status and the second team have been promoted. So big congratulations to them and skipper Andy Robinson.

“There has been a lot of work off the field this season and that will continue into next year. The future is bright and planning is already under way for 2022.”

Although relegation was inevitable before the final round of matches, Plymstock skipper James Nicholls was keen to see a true performance from his side.

Nicholls certainly got what he wanted as Chudleigh were restricted to 204 for nine, which Plymstock knocked-off with more than nine overs to go.

“We batted the way we know we can,” said Nicholls.

“We set a platform and 200 was routine, as it should be.

“Matt Whalley was brilliant and was well backed-up well by Tom Mitch.

“Kieron Dyer enjoyed his first sniff of first-team cricket so lots to build on.”