BRISTOL PHOENIX made the 250-mile round trip to Plymouth for a nail-biting top of the table clash on Sunday, with the winner able to claim top spot in the South West Championship.

Phoenix skipper Sam Brazier, had no hesitation in asking Plympton to bat on a damp pitch and, with fellow new ball bowler Alex MacDonald, bowled a beautiful opening spell.

With 15-year-old off spinner Fi Morris carrying on the good work, Plympton had only 45 after 22 overs but they kept wickets in hand allowing them to accelerate.

Emily Waldron struck with her first ball to remove dangerous South African international Olivia Anderson for 54, to tilt the game Phoenix’s way.

With Macdonald running out Omara Carr for 32, Sam Brazier claimed two more quick wickets and with the miserly Macdonald giving nothing away in her second spell, Plympton’s innings closed on 157-9 from their 50 overs.

Brazier (3-24), Carys Allen (2-22) and Waldron (1-19) were the wicket takers, but Macdonald (ten overs for 13 runs) and Morris (ten overs for 31 runs) shared the honours in an excellent bowling and fielding display.

The loss of two crucial Phoenix wickets in the first over made the target seem a long way away. Helen Ware and Abi Evans battled to stabilise the innings, but were unable to accelerate leaving Phoenix needing 100 runs from the last 20 overs.

Macdonald, however, set about chasing the target down, first with Tilly Line (14) and then with Waldron. So effective was this charge that the target was reduced to just 21 at less than a run a ball and, with the momentum now firmly with Phoenix.

After play was held up due to a bizarre accident in the scorebox, Waldron was run out by a direct hit for an outstanding 25 from 40 balls, leaving Macdonald undefeated on a brilliant 38.

Phoenix fell just 16 runs short of an improbable win so Plympton take the title.