STOKE Gabriel remain hard on the heels of Barton at the top of the B Division following a five-wicket win on the chase over Bovey Tracey 2nd XI.

Bovey made 140 all out in the 40th of their overs, which Stoke chased down with more than 11 overs in hand.

Stoke’s eighth win of the season keeps them seven points behind Barton and six in front of third-placed Cullompton.

Bovey Tracey were bowled out for 140 in the 40th of their 45 overs.

Having got to 46 for none with Albie Bradley (27) going along nicely, Bovey dipped to 61 for two, three and four!

Archie Christophers (30) and Ryan Jones (21) got the score up to 121 for five. From then on it was downhill all the way.

Stoke spinner Dan Bullock twirled out figures of four for 27 and there were two wickets each for Jake Robinson, Liam Mair and Kyle Lardner.

Stoke’s reply started hesitantly and at 52 for four after a going over from Braydon Pink (3-16) there was work to do.

Justin Pringle turned the game around with an unbeaten 73 off 93 balls. His stand of 51 with Jack Tolley (25no) won the game with time to spare.

Skipper Robinson said a pleasing thing from the game was who didn’t contribute to the win, which showed the depth at the club.

“Our bowling was good, made better by the fact Isaac Withington, Mike Smith and Jack Tolley didn't bowl,” said Robinson.

“It was good to see Liam Mair (2-28) step-up. And it helps when you can take a few catches as well.”

As for the run chase, Robinson said: “The opening spell from Bovey was decent, but Justin found some form and Tolley was always going to be safe to support later in the innings.”

Meanwhile Plymouth 2nd XI showed they are serious about moving off the bottom of the C West table with a crushing 105-run win over Yelverton.

Ben Stein and Jake Smith with matching scores of 41 were Plymouth’s principal batsmen in their total of 240 all out. Both were outdone by the 48 extras Yelverton gave away… 40 of them in wides.

Alex Hill (23) and Sam White with a brisk 32 topped up the total.

Wickets fell two by two to Sam Crompton, Alistair Horler, Ben Grove and Mike Lemmings.

Smith picked-up a couple of early wickets as Yelverton wobbled to 29 for three.

Grove (30) was next out on 75 and wickets fell regularly from then on as Yelverton bowed out for 113.

Zak Saleem (3-15) got into Yelverton’s middle order. Ben Stein followed suit and Azir Rahmanzai (2-1) took care of the tail.