Harry Everett updates the Wombat Cricket-sponsored Devon T20 Cup
THE competition opened back in May with a shock when holders Bradninch & Kentisbeare lost by two runs to A Division side Tavistock.
Home side wicketkeeper Dave Manning (48) and captain Charlie Barriball (24) shared the key partnership of the match-69 for the third wicket, aiding Tavvy to 154 for six.
Without usual skipper Gary Chappell, the Ninch relied on 66 from Yuvraj Singh (not the left-arm former Indian allrounder) who also took three for 23 in the first innings.
Chappell was in with a shout for man of the match yet being on the losing side the accolade had to go to winning captain Barriball, who took three for 33, including the two openers and the third top scorer.
Heathcoat beat Sidmouth at Knightshayes thanks to the top three of Indian overseas Kumar Kushagra, Ed Butler and Harry Southgate notching 154 off their bats alone – more than enough for Sidmouth, who were 34 all out.
Sampford Peverell bowlers Dan Pugsley (3-20) and Joe Parkinson (4-14) impressed on their first ever taste of the premier T20 competition in Devon due to the off-season merger with Heathcoat.
Heathcoat and Tavistock – the only sides to actually play and win in a first round that featured 14 byes – met at Blundell’s school in the last 16. The game was switched as Heathcoat’s pavilion had been rented out for a wedding reception.
It was a different Barriball who skippered and earned man of the match in this tie; Billy scoring 64 and putting on 74 for the first wicket with aggressor Rhys Davies (48).
Heathcoat’s top five mostly got starts but no one passed 31, both Barriballs notching two-fers to have the home side 154 all out and lose by nine runs.
Tavistock will host Bovey in the quarter-finals next month after the Tracey beat Cornwood by three wickets.
With no Max Finzel, George Thompson (59) opened with Jay Bista, who was surprisingly bowled for eight. Josh Goodliffe (22 off 16 balls) and Matt Puttock (19 off 9) endangered the neighbouring bowls club and swimming pool with two sixes each, but 147 for seven was not enough at the Recreation Ground.
Pete Bradley (31 off 24) and Ash Causey (59 off 39) set the platform for Brad Causey (19 not out off 14) and talented hockey player wicketkeeper and captain Lewis Hammett to finish things (12no) with eight balls to spare.
Exmouth smashed North Devon at The Maer. Cam Kidd (38) and 29 extras – 20 wides – helped the home side to 160. Jason Niemand and Josh Austin took three wickets apiece as North Devon’s long trip south earned just 74 all out.
In a re-run of last year’s first semi-final at Plympton, Plymouth actually beat Sandford at Mount Wise but were later disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
Exmouth surprisingly cancelled on Sandford on the morning of their arranged game last Sunday (perhaps a few late Ashes tickets available?), giving the Creedy Park side a free pass to a semi-final against Tavistock or Bovey Tracey. It will be a second consecutive finals day trip for Ford who lost to Bradninch in the final last year.
A half-century from opener Freddie Cockram (52) and 37 not out from ‘keeper Charles Clist, helped Exeter to 141 for five at Kilmington. Oli Reed’s 33 was not enough in their 118 for nine against Joe Gore (3-14) and a three-for-24 return from Exeter University student Sam Down, who has since taken his off-spin back home to Cumnor CC in the Cherwell Valley League up in Oxfordshire.
Budleigh Salterton conceded to send Paignton through to face Exeter next.
Plympton’s top three did the job against Clyst St George with Elliot Hamilton (45), Justin Wubbeling (33) and former Zimbabwe test bat Tino Mutombodzi (64no) helping last year’s finals day hosts to 177 for four.
Ronaldo Callender’s 57 off 24 balls helped Clyst get close, but Jonty Walliker’s three for 29 helped keep CSG nine runs short.
Abbotskerswell conceded to Thorverton, who now play at Plympton on July 7.
