Defeat leaves Plymouth in a relegation survival scrap

PLYMOUTH now find themselves involved in the Premier Division relegation scrap after suffering a six-wicket home defeat by Sidmouth.

- By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Six defeats on the trot - they have not won since beating Exmouth by 39 runs on July 5 - have sucked Plymouth into the relegation vortex.

It’s all over already for North Devon, but one of Heathcoat (167pts), Sandford (176, Sidmouth (178) and now Plymouth (179) will be going with them.

A win over North Devon this Saturday is essential if Plymouth want to avoid too many last-day dramas at Paignton. Sandford against Sidmouth this Saturday is another massive game in the survival stakes.

Plymouth’s first task on the Fortfield was recovering from an early going over from Noah Musikanth (4-15) that left them 16 for three in the sixth over.

Teddy Haffenden (29) and Matt Whalley (31) got Plymouth back on an even keel at 88 for three. Then Charlie Gaywood (3-16) had Haffenden caught behind.

Plymouth went into a steady decline after that with Ethan Guest (21) the only long-term survivor as they faded to 129 all out with six of their 50 overs to go.