Plympton can't wait for season to finish

IT looks like the end of the season cannot come soon enough for Plympton following a nine-wicket pasting away to Exeter.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PREMIER DIVISION

Plympton were already relegated going into the County Ground encounter having been consigned to the drop when the lost to Paignton last time out.

Exeter skittled Plympton for 116 and knocked-off the runs inside 12 overs.

There was no hint of the carnage to come as opener Shahbaz Javed helped himself to a half-century in a running total of 80 for two.

Javed’s demise to Sam Read signalled the start of the slide to 116 all out. Only Amir Patel (15) and Chris Dawe (10) made double-figure scores after that as Read and Alex Jarman spun their way through the batting.

Read picked-up five Plympton wickets for just seven runs and there were three more for Jarman (3-37) as the side gathered pace.

Exeter’s only casualty on the chase was opener Seb Linnett, who was a second-over casualty to Patel for a duck.

Charles Clist (37no) and Somerset Academy scholar Fin Hill (77no) sped Exeter to victory during an unbroken stand of 110. There were some painful overs for Plympton’s bowlers, especially skipper Elliot Hamilton, who took himself off after six overs that cost 68 runs.

It was Exeter’s sixth win on the bounce in the Premier Division and took them past Sandford into second place behind champs-presumptive Bradninch & Kentisbeare.

Exeter trail the leaders by 16 points with two games to go and 40 points to play for. Snatching the title at this late stage looks like a long shot for Exeter. However, as they play Bradninch & Kentisbeare on the last day of the season, it is not over yet.

■ PLYMOUTH’S Premier Division aspirations hopes were given a boost by a 29-run win over neighbours Plymstock on the Mount Wise ground.

Teddy Haffenden top scored with 72 for Plymouth in a 50-over total of 170 for six.

Skipper Sam Stein led Plymouth’s bowling effort with three for 16 overs as Plymstock were bowled out for 141 on the chase.