BOVEY Tracey beat visitors Plymouth by ten runs in a thrilling game that went right down to the wire.

Bovey put 216-8 on the board – Chris Bradley making 83 – with Plymouth reaching the final over 11 runs short with their last pair in the middle.

One of the benefits of being third in the table with no pressure on you is you can afford to gamble, rather than block out for two draw points which won't materially affect your season. Plymouth knew that.

George Stephenson and Charlie Hill gambled and lost. The ball was played into the covers and, with the field out, Bovey keeper Ben Ayres scampered round from behind the wicket and ran out Hill with a direct hit. A dramatic ending to a dramatic game.

Earlier, Nick Reed had been carted off to hospital to be stitched up after taking a ball in the face fielding close-in to Lewis Hammett. Bravely, he returned and went out to bat in the hope of winning the game – and got out first ball.

Bradley was the anchorman Bovey batted round. He stayed until he was fifth out with the score on 189.

Along the way there was a stand of 83 with Hammett (27) and another of 43 with Andy Kingdon (22).

After Matt Hopper dismissed Bradley on his way to a 5-63 haul, Andy Fairbairn (22 not out) batted through to the end.

Plymouth made a stuttering start as Ryan Bougourd (4-37) got among the wickets.

Jake Luffman was caught at slip, James Toms fell at mid-wicket, as did skipper Callum Whittaker, and Steve Luffman was well caught at full stretch by Charlie Carter just inside the boundary.

Stephenson, only called into the side at short notice as cover, set about salvaging the situation after Plymouth dipped to 78-5 in reply.

Luke Minnett (19) and Dave Burke (16) helped Stephenson chip away at the deficit. Stephenson (84 not out) was the dominant partner in a stand of 69 with Minnet.

Man of the match Bradley plugged away with wickets when they were needed though, and his 4-45 from 15 overs meant Plymouth were always just that little further behind the clock than they would have wanted.

Tomorrow, Bovey – who are fourth in the table – are away to Paignton.MORE SPORT IN OUR ONLINE EDITION