Tavistock stave off relegation with final ball win

CORNWOOD suffered a six-wicket defeat at the hands of a Paignton side involved in a fight for survival at the foot of the table.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PREMIER DIVISION

Cornwood skipper Elliott Staddon top scored with 38 in his team’s total of 141 after he won the toss and opted to bat first.

The Wood were 16 for three at one stage – county trio Ben Privett, Matt Skeemer and Ben Beaumont the men out – and it was Staddon and Naveen Fernando (17) who largely saved them from a worse collapse.

Staddon was the ninth man out on 117. Last pair Jack Ormsby (12) and Lee Baker (9no) put on a creditable 24.

Abhay Negi (3-26) did most of the damage to Cornwood’s top order with the ball for Paignton. If Negi did not get them, Charlie Ward (2-21) or Jack Harman (2-26) did.

Paignton lost two wickets in the 30s – Brenton Pedley (12) and Noah Wright (21) – both to Ben Privett (2-29).

By the time Baker (2-25) broke a stand of 72 between Charlie (56) and Harry Ward the result wasn’t in doubt.

Harry Ward (32) got Paignton in sight of victory. Neil Hancock (17no) went the rest of the way.

Cornwood have fallen away from title contender to mid-table mediocrity during the second half of the season. Staddon said it is not hard to work out why: “Another day where we just didn’t get enough runs to put ourselves in a position to control the game in the second innings,” said Staddon,

“Being 37 for four after winning the toss isn’t going to help you win many games. That’s something we are aware of and know big improvements have got to be made for next season.

“Charlie Ward stood out in the second innings with the bat and killed any chance of us pulling something out the bag.”

While the Wood were losing at Queen’s Park, Bradninch & Kentisbeare were securing the Premier Division title thanks to a nine-wicket win over Exmouth.

Said Staddon: “Congratulations to Bradninch & Kentisbeare for deservedly winning the Premier Division.”