IPPLEPEN’S safety margin at the wrong end of the B Division was slimmed down to a single point by a five-wicket defeat at Clyst St George.

Marcus Gadie (20) and Sam Wakeham (30) made Pens’ only scores of note as Par Singh (3-35), Bertie Creer (2-9) and Inder Singh (2-34) skittled them for 112.

Skipper Dan Kendall (26) and Wiehann Meyer (50) took CSG within 20 runs of the target. Andy Donovan – whose form has attracted the attention of the Devon Lions’ management – was 18 not out at the end.

Aidan Phillips and Ash Harvey claimed two wickets each for the well-beaten Pens.

Defeat leaves Ipplepen (69pts) fractionally ahead of Bideford (68) and Abbotskerswell (64) down in the basement.

Matt Beasant, the Ipplepen captain, said there were mitigating factors to take into consideration when reflecting on the result.

“Unfortunately, it was a very bad toss to lose on a soft, wet one (pitch),” said Beasant.

“If we don't start putting in all-round performances, we will find ourselves in an uncomfortable position in a few weeks’ time.”

Ipplepen 2nd XI were more successful, ending South Devon’s winning streak in the C Division West.

Runs from opener Aaron Hammett (34) and Mali Marshall (45) helped South Devon reach 144 for four without too many problems.

Marshall’s demise, bowled by Tobias Alsop (2-8), started a slide towards South Devon’s all-out total of 176. Only skipper Jon Martin (20) stayed long.

South Devon got just the start they wanted when Martin bowled Pens’ opener Jeff Heath two balls into their reply.

Alsop (38), Freddie Harvey (21) and ex-regular Luke Tuckett (50) had all chipped away at the deficit in a running total of 154 for five.

Eighth-wicket pair Harry Lewis and Adam Peters got the scores level as the tension mounted. Paul Thomas was in at the end with Peters when the winning single was scampered.