RUDY Plummer continued his happy scoring knack as Blackfield & Langley tightened their grip on second spot in the Evo-Stik Division One South.

After striking twice at Larkhall Athletic the previous weekend, Plummer went one better at home to Bideford yesterday, plundering a hat-trick in a convincing 4-1 win.

He showed his predatory instincts on 29 minutes, pouncing on a mistake by Bideford’s Sean Downing before rounding the keeper to score.

Just before half-time the pacy frontman found himself one-on-one with the keeper again for 2-0 and he completed his hat-trick just after the break with another deadly finish.

The visitors threatened to make a game of it when Kevin Squire followed up a parried shot, but Blackfield had the last word when Mitch Speechley-Price turned in Liam Robinson’s 90th-minute cross.

That’s now eight wins and two draws for Wessex champions Blackfield in their first 13 games as a Southern League club.

Manager Glenn Howes said afterwards: “I don’t think you can argue with the result.

“Rudy’s had three chances and he’s scored three goals. He’s becoming extremely clinical.”