Axminster remain in the bottom three of the Tolchards Devon League B Division after suffering a 72 run defeat at Plymstock.

The hosts batted first and powered their way to an imposing 241-6.

Alex Wraight with 2-20, was the pick of the visiting bowlers.

The Axminster reply never really got going after suffering the loss of Brad Cross and Matt Pyle in the first two overs! Despite fine contributions of 45 from Dan Murnane and 40 from Gary Larcombe, wickets fell along the way with the final one going down on 169.

Skipper Paul Miller said: “It was one of those case when, on another day, the game goes your way. They batted well, but did enjoy good fortune with a number of edge not going to hand. That said they rode their luck and posted a score which always looked to 30-40 too many and so it proved. We worked hard and gave our all, but need to find an extra gear if we are to climb out of the precarious position we are currently in.”

With regionalisation it means that three teams will be relegated from the B Division to make way for one each from the C East and West and a third by way of the East and West divisional play-off. That all means that the priority for the Cloakham Lawn side, is to stay clear of the bottom three.

Miller says: “Even at this early stage it does look like there’s going to be a four-way battle to bag that one safe berth,. Finishing out of the bottom three is our objective and that’s what we’ll be working to achieve.”