IPPLEPEN CC fell to a four-wicket defeat at the hands of Stoke Gabriel in their clash at Moor Lane.

Pens’ total of 198 for nine was centered around a stoic knock of 49 from 80 balls posted by Reuben Stanley. There were runs either side from Jono Colgate (30) and Toby Holroyd (40), who put on 74 with Stanley.

Stoke raced to victory with almost 10 overs to spare, despite Ash Harvey’s (4-19) attempts to slow them down. Isaac Withington was 30 not out when the winning runs were dispatched.

Also in the B Division, Abbotskerswell were on the blunt end of a 176-run clubbing at the hands of Bideford.

Bideford amassed 300 for eight in 45 overs with Ollie Hannam out in front on 74.

Abbotskerswell collapsed from 91 for three to 118 for eight on the way to 124 all out and their second defeat of the season.

Ford (25) and dad James (51) got Bideford away to a 39-run start before Hannam joined Ford senior for a stand of 142.

Tom Brend (46) and Josh King (43) kept the book ticking over with an add-on stand of 79.

James Tyler was Abbots’ leading wicket-taker with three for 55. Alfie Harrison had two for 42.

Abbots got bogged down in the early overs against Bideford seamer Julian Hayter (2-9) with Ed Smout-Cooper (38) the only batter to make much headway.

Toby Codd (41) kept going at one end while wickets fell at the other to Martin Stewart (2-43) and Jim Keates (2-18). Once the slid started in earnest, Lukanyo Metu (3-6) took care of the tail enders.

Codd, who doubles as Abbots’ player and coach, had no complaints about the result.

“We were outplayed by Bideford in all three departments,” said Codd.

“It's important we stick together and come back stronger for Braunton next.

“We know our best cricket is yet to come and we're looking forward to putting it right.”

IN C Division West, South Devon CC moved on from their first-day defeat at Ashburton with a 78-run win over Paignton 2nd XI.

Jack Allen (6-16) was the man of the moment for South Devon with a six-wicket haul that helped send Paignton sliding from 55 for three to 72 all out. Earlier, Jonny Martin and Kalen Warne had bagged a couple of wickets each.

Max Pedley (27) top-scored for Paignton. Six of his team-mates failed to score a run between them.

South Devon were all out for 150 and were glad of 34 down the order from Warne for recovering from 75 for six. Toby Goodman (33) and Aaron Hammett (22) played roles with the bat.

Tom Blundell (4-31) and Arthur Ray (2-15) took Paignton’s bowling honours.

Also in South Devon’s league, Ashburton are neck-and-neck with Cornwood 2nd XI at the summit after condemning Brixham to a 91-run defeat at Boundary Park and Josh Couch and Alastair Cliffe both made half-centuries for Teignmouth & Shaldon in their five-wicket home win over Chudleigh.

Aditya More, back for a follow-up season with Ashburton was easily the man of the match on either side with runs and wickets, scoring 79 in the 240-7 total and putting up figures of 4-33. In the other clash, Chudleigh posted a 231 all-out total which T&S chased down.

Finally, Chagford continue to set the pace at the top of the D Division West after beating Yelverton by six wickets.