IPPLEPEN maintained a firm hold on the C Division West leadership with a six-wicket win over Cornwood 2nd XI.

The Wood posted a hefty 259-6 on the Moor Lane ground only for ‘Pens to knock off the runs with 2+ overs to go, completing a ‘statement’ win.

Four wins in four completed games is further evidence of Pens’ intent to bounce straight back after relegation last season.

There were runs right down the top seven for Cornwood, starting with the 69-run stand between Robin Dart (32) and Alex Robinson (33). Chris Parker led the way with 43.

Jamie Ingram and George Tapley took two wickets each for the Pens.

Man of the moment for the Pens was ‘Kiwigian’ Ingram, who laced the bowling for a second successive league ton (114). He went in at 10-1 and came out with the job just about done at 228-4.

Tobias Alsop (67no) and skipper Sam Wakeham (15no) applied the finishing touches.

Keeping the runs down was a challenge for the Cornwood bowlers, although Jason Hall (2-43) and Matt Puttock (0-35) made a decent attempt at it.

Meanwhile, Ipplepen 2nd XI lost by 33 runs to Yelverton in the D Division West.

David Ackford (44) and Rob Grove (24), opened up with runs, Fred Smale followed up with 25 and Josh Stevenson made 35 down the order towards a total of 191 all out.

The ninth-wicket stand of42 between Stevenson (35) and Harry Nankivell (16) proved vital in the final totting-up.

Wickets went two each to Bradley Aldridge, Ross Kennard, Steve Bowden, the frugal Harry Lewis and Harry Courtice.

Ipplepen only got as far as 158 for five before they ran-out of overs.

Matt Beasant played the anchorman role with 55 not out batting first wicket down, and Kennard made 41. Apart from Marcus Green’s 21 not out there were no contributions significant enough to keep up with the asking rate.