IPPLEPEN 2nd XI dropped back from second to fourth in the D Division West following a 23-run defeat by Hatherleigh 2nd XI.

As defeats go it was not terminal to Pens’ promotion chances as only six points separate the four clubs behind Plymstock in the race for second place.

Plymstock on the other hand boast a 13-point gap over second-placed Kenn 1st XI so it remains to be seen whether anyone can catch them and claim the title for themselves.

Back to the game at hand though and Zak Spears top scored for Hatherleigh with 58 in their 45-over total of 181 for seven.

Spears, batting first wicket down, was involved in stands that added 114. Paul Penberthy (29) was at the opposite end for one of them.

Matt Dennis batted through for an undefeated 41 to bolster the total.

Pens’ battery of golden-oldie bowlers – Keith Wakeham (2-18), Paul Thomas (2-34) and Keith Bell (2-24) – gave little away.

Adam Peters, the Ipplepen skipper, is probably still wondering how his side lost after reaching 110 for four in reply with 20 overs to go?

Losing Chris Needham (42) to Jamie Nielson (3-36) was probably the turning point.

Only Will Maynard (39) made much headway after Needham’s demise.

Cameron Rowlands (3-20) and Tom Carroll (2-29) chipped wickets away at the other end from Maynard to consign Ipplepen to 158 all out.

Devon Cricket League D Division West. Ipplepen 2nd XI versus Hatherleigh 2nd XI, Hatherleigh's Jamie Nielson
Devon Cricket League D Division West. Ipplepen 2nd XI versus Hatherleigh 2nd XI, Hatherleigh's Jamie Nielson (Steve Pope/MDA)

Meanwhile, bottom side Abbotskerswell 2nd XI pulled off the shock of the day in the D Division West when they overturned leaders Plymstock by 73 runs.

Abbots put 189 for seven on the board, then bowled out Plymstock for 116 with more than 18 overs to go.

Results elsewhere were relatively kind to Plymstock, whose lead over Kenn is a healthy 13 points.

But with just 19 points between five promotion candidates – Plymstock, Kenn, Babbacombe, Ipplepen and Plymouth CS&R – nothing is settled yet.

Jamie Lock (60no) and Alfie Harrison (35) put on 75 for Abbotskerswell’s sixth wicket that rescued them from 81 for five. Thirty-eight extras helped.

Tom Baker (2-27) and George Barnicott (2-16) bowled nine miserly overs each that kept Abbots’ batters quiet.

Plymstock weaved from 33 for three to 62 for seven as Jake Fox (3-21) and Chris Meikle (3-27) worked down the order.

Tail-ender Ben Whalley made 24 in a hurry before Harrison Vickery (2-51) returned to finish off the stragglers.