IPPLEPEN 1st XI skipper Matt Beasant was determined to find something tangible from the wreckage of a 173-run hammering by B Division leaders Plymstock.

Tyrese Karelse rattled up a top score of 77 for Plymstock in their 45-over total of 225 all out. George Tapley and Ross Kennard claimed three wickets each for the Pens.

Then Plymstock skipper Tom Mitch performed the hat-trick – all lbws – as Pens were skittled out for 52.

Said Beasant: “We felt unlucky not to get Karelse with two huge lbw shouts at the beginning of his innings.

“George Tapley bowled brilliantly and it was good to see Warrick Green in the wickets and to have Aidan Phillips bowling again, even if only off half a run-up.

“I can forgive a bad week with the bat on a tricky pitch when we were chasing far more than we probably should have been.

“Fair play to Tom Mitch as well: hat-tricks don't come around often.”

After the Pens slumped to 27 for four in reply, it seemed Plymstock had more than enough. Rob Cunningham (2-17) and Archie Hall (2-10) took early wickets.

Any doubts about the outcome were dispelled during the three-ball spell when Mitch accounted for Toby Holroyd, Aiden Phillips and George Tapley one after the other. All three victims were given out lbw.

Ipplepen were done and dusted at that point at 31 for seven. All that remained was for Mitch (4-16) and Karelse (2-9) to mop-up the stragglers. They were all out for 52.

Mitch had a decent game all-round as he also shared a third-wicket stand of 88 with Karelese, into which he contributed 31. James Nicholls chipped in with 25.

“Plymstock were better in every aspect and deserved the win,” said Beasant, matter-of-factly.