Cornwood speed to victory over Paignton

JOSIAH Caunter and Elliott Staddon claimed four wickets each to speed Cornwood to an 82-run win over Paignton.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PREMIER DIVISION

Skipper Staddon was hoping for a bounce-back win to compensate for losing the top-of-the-table clash against Sandford seven days earlier.

And Staddon played a significant role himself in finishing Paignton off after Matt Skeemer and Caunter did the early damage.

Victory keeps Cornwood third in the Premier Division table behind leaders Sandford and second-placed Bradninch & Kentisbeare, both of whom also won.

Skeemer, Cornwood's form player with bat and ball, top scored with 61 off 78 balls in an all-out total of exactly 200.

Cornwood lost opener Ben Privett in the first over, but a stand of 98 between Skeemer and Ben Beaumont (35) got the innings up and running.

Chris Parker (22) and George Thompson (19) kept the board revolving after Skeemer departed. Thirty-eight extras helped!

Luke Medlock's three for 30 from eight overs was the pick of Paignton's bowling. Mark Orchard and Cole Harford took two wickets each. Abhay Negi (6-2-10-0) offered little to hit.

Skeemer (2-17) knocked over both Paignton openers in a running total of 24 for two.

The Ward brothers - Charlie (46) and Harry (38) - appeared to have turned things round for Paignton during a stand that took the total to 107 for three.

Caunter spinning out Charlie Ward was the start of a terminal decline that saw Paignton lose eight wickets for 11 runs in less than eight overs on the way to 118 all out.

Caunter finished with four for 17 and Staddon (4-25) mopped-up the rest.

Staddon said it may look a comfortable win, but it would be wrong to make that assumption on a couple of counts.

"Paignton made it tough and built a partnership that put them in a good position," said Staddon.

"Once we broke the partnership we were able to take quick wickets and can be really pleased about taking eight for 11.