Plymstock are up and running with first day victory

IVYBRIDGE ALSO START SEASON WITH AN EMPHATIC VICTORY

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PLYMSTOCK got off the mark in the B Division first time out with a nervy two-wicket win over newly promoted Stoke Gabriel.

It seemed Plymstock had done the hard bit by dismissing Stoke Gabriel for 107 in the 31st of their 45 overs. There were two wickets each for Billy Gibson (2-19), skipper Tom Mitch (2-14) and Tyrese Karelse (2-22) and three in eight balls at the end for Alex Barnicott (3-4).

Stoke Gabriel's only stand of note was one worth 29 for the first wicket between captain Jack Tolley (17) and Dan Duke (10). Isaac Withington, who went in at 65 for six, top scored on 26.

A three-wicket burst by Withington (3-29) had Stoke a wobbly 42 for three in the 11th over. Snajog Dabholkar (3-18) kept the pressure on Plymstock's middle order.

Bits and pieces from Josh Sumner (21) and Fraser Cowen (16no) got Plymstock over the line in the end with 19 overs to spare.

For Mitch it was the winning start he wanted, if not quite in the manner he would have liked.

"Billy and Robbie Cunningham set the tone with the new ball and the whole bowling unit bowled well to restrict Stoke Gabriel," said captain Mitch.

"It was a very good performance in the field, which I hope we continue with all year.

"The run chase was classic Plymstock, something we know we need to improve on, but we got there in the end."

IVYBRIDGE flashed a message to the rest of the B Division that they mean business this season with a 146-run win over Bovey Tracey 2nd XI.

It was Ivybridge's first game back in the B Division after three seasons in the next one down and suggested they are aiming for the top again this season.

And it was achieved without the services of an overseas player as Ivybridge are making fresh arrangements due to visa issues delaying the arrival of Bamanye Xenexe from South Africa.

Lined-up to replace Xenexe is Zimbabwean quick bowler Tinashe Muchawaya, who should be flying in this week.