Plymouth have no answer to impressive Paignton

PLYMOUTH 2nd XI were on the receiving end of two impressive performances on the way to a 62-run defeat away to C West leaders Paignton 2nd XI.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Neil Hancock, the former Devon captain who was a white-ball cricketer with Somerset in the early days of Twenty 20 cricket, clubbed Plymouth's bowling for 156 not out in a Paignton total of 258 for six. He hit 17 fours and seven sixes.

Billy Criddle (20), son Ethan (19) and captain Carl McFarlane (17) jogged along with Hancock as the tally mounted.

Bowling successes were few and far between for Plymouth. Sam Knapman (3.56) and Stephen Skews (3.20) avoided the worst of the brutal treatment handed out by Hancock.

What was even more impressive from Paignton's point of view was the hat-trick performed by 15-year-old Ella Gill that helped limit Plymouth to 196 for nine in reply.

Women cricketers are a regular feature of Devon League matches - and have been since Jackie Hawker played for Plympton 20-odd years ago - but there is no record of one taking a hat-trick before.

Gill's first victim was Plymouth opener Pete Evans (66) who had been anchoring the chase. He was bowled at 120 for six. Wakman Oyarkhill was stumped first ball.

And the hat-trick was completed by the lbw dismissal of Jamie Henwood.

James Hulbert (57no) put on 72 for the ninth wicket with Skews, but it was too late to save the game.

Gill's full figures were three for 28, Sean Kirk took three for 26 and there were two wickets for Max Pedley.

Defeat leaves Plymouth bottom of the table for another week.

YELVERTON came apart at the seams against visiting South Devon, who skittled them out for 49 and needed fewer than 14 overs to complete a seven-wicket win.

Ben Grove (24) was the lone Yelverton batter to make more than five on a grim day at Langton Park. Four batters did not manage a run between them.

Yelverton's batters had no answer to the pace of Mali Marshall (3-29) or the nagging seam bowling of Jonny Martin (4-12) as the processed in and out.

South Devon lost wickets at 27 30 and 38 on the way to victory.