By OLLIE SMITH

Plympton 3rd XI now sit just six points from the promotion spots in the G Division West after defeating Whitchurch 2nd XI by 69 runs. 

Hot on the heels of the Chagford and Plymouth Civil Service & Roborough 2nd XIs, Plympton were put into bat.

Andrew Hall (two for 25) of Whitchurch did the early damage, he removed Sateesh Thandlam and Tony Collins for single figure scores, Paul Hamilton was at the other end.

Hamilton lost another partner, Tony Collins, before he and Jack Sellick (12) rebuilt.

Hamilton was fourth out for 53 with the score on 84, Steven Payne claimed his wicket.

James Ferriman and Chris Dawe (23) rebuilt the Plympton innings, but it was the partnership Ferriman shared with Paul Burn that took the game away from Whitchurch.

Burn joined the action with Ferriman on 38no, and by the time he was dismissed for 12, Ferriman had brought up three figures, needing only 53 balls to do it. His first 50 took 37 balls, the next 50 needed only 16, as his final score of 101no from 54 balls included 11 fours and six sixes.

Ferriman saved his harshest treatment for Phil Webber, who bowled the penultimate over. 23 runs came from it, as the three figures was brought up with the only four over the over, it was preceded by three sixes.

Whitchurch saved face in the final set as they took two wickets, however the damage was already done as Plympton reached 247 for seven.

In reply, a stubborn Phil McKenzie Smith scored a sedate 55 from 104 balls, however lacked support in the run chase. 

A late cameo from Jason Webber, 37 from 25, was next best for Whitchurch. The wickets were shared amongst the Plympton bowlers, five bowlers took at least one wicket, the only to take more was Sean Mortimer (two for 39), who also claimed three catches.

Ferriman, who was man of the moment, took one for 31, his figures ruined by a large number of wides, and a surge from McKenzie Smith.

Adam Sellick, the Plympton captain, was pleased with the intent shown by his side, “the lads batted very well setting a very challenging total for the opposition.”

“When we took to the field we battled hard, scrapping for every point, and were really happy to finish with 18 points which keeps us in the hunt with a huge game on Saturday against Chagford.”