IPPLEPEN enhanced their survival chances in the B Division with a three-wicket win basement tussle with Bovey Tracey 2nd XI.
Although Ipplepen are still in the bottom two, they are only four points behind Bovey, the side they have to pass to reach safety. And with four games to go there is still time for the Pens to play their way out of trouble.
Sam Veal (42), Brad Causey (45) and Reuben Stanley with 47 against one of his former clubs were the main run scorers for Bovey in a total of 208 for eight.
Stanley rescued Bovey from a perilous 90 for six after Bovey ran into difficulties against Noah Rider (3-40) and Ross Kennard (2-27).
Ipplepen knocked-off the runs with five overs to spare after chase of twists and turns. Having got to 93 for one with runs from Marcus Gadie (30), Mawgan Penrice (18) and Aiden Phillips (31), Pens slowed to 102 for four. Dan Green (3-22) did the damage.
Rider (32) steadied the chase, then Sam Wakeham (27no) and Kennard (27no) finished it off.
Matt Beasant, the winning captain, said it was ‘not a flawless performance’ but that did not matter.
“I can't fault the determination and attitude of every single player from start to finish,” said Beasant.
“It was a real team performance with everyone contributing in one way or another.
"I was very proud of the way we stuck together as a team and let our cricket do the talking.”
Bovey skipper Green said: “Hopefully, losing a good game of cricket won’t affect us staying up.
“Ipplepen showed their worth and we didn't score enough runs – again!
“We know what we need to do and I am backing us to do that.”
