Plymouth prevail in the A Division match of the day

CORNWOOD dropped down from second to third in the Tolchards DCL Premier Division table following a 13-run defeat in a rain-affected game against Sidmouth.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PREMIER DIVISION

Sidmouth were all out for 211 in the last of their 50 overs – in-form opener Sam Elstone anchoring the first half of the total with 67.

Cornwood were on 192 for nine after 38 overs when bad light brought a terminal halt to proceedings, which was 14 runs short of the Duckworth-Lewis System target of 206 to win.

Getting that close looked a long odds wager when Cornwood were 113 for seven in reply. James Richardson and surviving opener Max Finzel put second wind into the chase and it remained game until the end.

Elliott Staddon, the Cornwood captain, won’t be losing much sleep over this defeat or the manner of it.

“It was a competitive game, unfortunately dictated by the weather,” said Staddon.

“In areas we were excellent and there were some really positive performances from players, so lots to take moving into the coming weeks.”

Elstone opened-up with Charlie Gaywood (22) and they took Sidmouth to 61 without loss.

James Richardson had Elstone caught behind by George Thompson – that was 114 for three – and four more wickets fell getting tov 147 for seven. Staddon (4-20) did most of the damage.

Jamie Baird, the former Somerset Academy scholar, batted Sidmouth back into the game with 46 at run-aball rate. His stand of 64 for the eighth wicket with Scott Barlow (28no) proved decisive in the final totting-up.

Ben Privett (4-45) returned for a second spell at the end and claimed three wickets in four balls to end Sidmouth’s innings.

Finzel and Privett (35) gave Cornwood a 55-run start and at 99 for two with Sri Lankan pro Naveen Fernando on 15 not out the picture looked rosy.