PLYMSTOCK are heading straight back to the B Division a year after being promoted out of it following a nine-wicket defeat at Bridestowe.

Plymstock were living on borrowed time at the bottom of the table going into the game as they had to win AND Kilmington needed to lose heavily to reverse their respective positions in the relegation zone.

The magnitude of Plymstock’s defeat – they were bowled out for 41 on came away totally pointless – rendered the outcome of Kilmington’s game against Torquay & Kingskerswell meaningless.

Kilmington cruised to a four-wicket win over the Seasiders who, like Bridestowe, are blocked from being promoted for not meeting ECB conditions for Premier Division status.

Plymstock were slumped from 20 for two, hardly a great start in the first place, to 25 for seven as opening bowlers Ethan Guest and Tallan Burns ran through them.

Guest took six for 26 from 7.5 overs and Burns had three for 14 before taking himself off. Anthony Mustica – dismissed by Craig Penberthy – was the only batter to avoid Burns or Guest.

“We were put ut in on a tricky one against a very, very good attack,” said Plymstock captain James Nicholls.

“Ethan and Tallan bowled very well and got the ball talking.”

Bridestowe needed 14.5 overs to knock-over Plymstock and just 7.1 to knock-off the runs.

James Ewen with 25 not out was in at the end with Shaquan Glasgow when the winning runs were scored.

For Nicholls, it was an unsatisfactory end to his six years as captain, during which he led them to two promotions.

“I have loved my six years in charge and it's been an absolute honour to skipper these lads,” said Nicholls.

“Now is the right time to hand it over to a younger lad. I'm sure we will look to recruit a few.”

It was not all gloom and doom in the Dean Cross clubhouse on Saturday night as Mike Blackmore’s 2nd XI won a tense promotion race in the D Division West. Five teams went into the final round of fixtures chasing two promotion slots.”

“With the 2nd XI being promoted we will certainly need a stronger squad across the board,” said Nicholls.