SAM Stein’s five-wicket haul steered Plymouth to a 38-run win over Tavistock at the Ring.

A consistent batting effort from the city side – only opener Hemu Hirani missed out – set a respectable total of 235 for eight.

Tavistock gave the run chase a go and at 135 for four with 17 overs to go – and Will Scott-Munden starting to find boundary balls to hit – it was game on.

Once Scott-Munden went the chase petered out as Stein pried out the lower-order on the way to a five-for-46 haul.

Tavistock’s second defeat on the trot has dropped them down to seventh in a Premier table of 10. Plymouth have gone up three places to fifth.

Surya Suresh (33) and Jonty Rapulana (59) made early runs for Plymouth, which were enhanced by a patient knock of 37 from skipper Teddy Haffenden.

Hal Kerton and Dan Goodey ­– both made 41 – took Plymouth close to their final total with a stand of 77 for the fifth wicket.

Tavvy spinner Tom Clarke took three for 42 and there were two wickets for Ahmad Hassan (2-35).

Scott-Munden went in for Tavistock at 82 for four after Elliot Hamilton (32), Rhys Davies (16) and Hassan (18)  and had done some prep work on the deficit.

Billy Barriball (20) jogged along with Scott-Munden as a further 53 was wiped off the target.

A change of bowling brought about Scott-Munden’s demise. Four balls into a new spell from Aziz Rahmanzai he was bowled for 52 heaving across the line in the general direction of mid-wicket.

Stein knocked over tail-enders James McGahey and Matt Petherbridge without too many difficulties as Tavistock subsided to 194 all out.

It was Stein’s sixth five-wicket haul in league cricket – and his best in the 1st XI since skittling North Devon back in 2012 with a six-for-26 return.

Haffenden, the winning captain, said he was confident a lomg way out the game was there to be one.

“We always felt we had a fair bit of control on the game,” said Haffenden. “The partnerships we built in the first innings were excellent, particularly Hal Kerton and Dan Goodey’s.

“We bowled really well again as a unit, backed up by some great fielding. 

“When Will (Scott-Munden) started coming after us there was potential for the game to swing their way, but we always felt a chance would come if we stuck to plan.”

On a good day all round for Plymouth the second team won at Brixham and the 3rd XI defeated Dartington & Totnes.

Sean Cleave, the Tavistock skipper, felt having worked hard to limit Plymouth to 237 the results was a let-down.

“We still bowled too many boundary balls though, so consistency is an area we need to improve,” said Cleave.

“With the bat, we need to show more intent and back our ability. We have a very capable batting line-up, so we need to start batting with a bit more freedom and turn starts into scores. 

“Will set the standard, going out positively and taking the game on. Credit to Plymouth as well. They dug in well and posted a score that proved enough.

“There’s plenty to work on, and we need to train with more purpose if we want to see progress on Saturdays, but we’ll keep improving together.”