STOKE Gabriel 2nd XI have now gone six games without a win in the F Division West after suffering a seven-wicket defeat away at Stokeinteignhead.

The last time Stoke Gabriel won in the Tolchards DCL was at the end of May when they defeated Babbacombe 2nd XI by six wickets.

This latest defeat leaves Stoke Gabriel three places off the bottom of the table, where they are six points clear of the relegation places. They were fourth from top the last time they won a match.

Off-spinner Joe Liyo, a recent arrival at Netherton, was the man of the moment for Stokeinteignhead with a seven-wicket haul that helped skittle Stoke Gabriel for 151.

Stoke Gabriel made steady progress to 102 for two with runs in the book for Chris Reeves (40) and a fair sprinkling of 31 extras.

Liyo’s first act was to clear out Reeves and from then on Stoke Gabriel declined.

Jon Robertson accounted for veteran batter Doug Ansley and from then on it was the Joe Liyo show. He took six in a row – two on 117, two more on 133 – and finished the innings by removing Kai Horsborough for 27.

Robertson led the Stokeinteignhead chase with 65 as the runs were knocked off with nearly 12 overs to spare.

There was only going to be one outcome once Stokeinteignhead openers Robertson and Oliver Hastie (47no) got into their stride.

Hastie was still there at the end… and with him on 21 not out was Liyo.