Cornwood stay top after thriller with Exmouth

CORNWOOD defeated Exmouth by nine runs in a thriller finish to stay out in front at the top of the Tolchards DCL Premier Division.

- CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PREMIER DIVISION 

Openers Jay Bista (96) and Max Finzel (54) put on 150 for Cornwood’s first wicket in an eventual total of 270 all out.

Ben Beaumont, who went in first wicket down, was involved in stands that added another 98 runs. Cameron Kidd with four for 68 was Exmouth’s leading wicket-taker, although Beaumont and Matt Skeemer lashed him for 24 in an over late in the game. Kidd dismissed Beaumont with the extra delivery added for a no-ball that went for six!

James Horler (43) and skipper Fin Marks (50) got Exmouth up and running on the chase then Louis Adey upped the temp with 40 off 19 balls.

Exmouth got down to the last five overs needing 59 to win with three wickets intact – and took 24 of them from the next over bowled by James Richardson.

The final from Jay Bista over arrived with Exmouth’s last pair at the crease and 16 needed. That proved too many for Alvin Pollard and Lawrence Greenway and Exmouth ran out of time on 261 for nine. Lee Baker (3-36) was the only Cornwood bowler to take more than one wicket.

Elliott Staddon, the Cornwood captain, said the partnership between Bista and Finzel was pivotal in winning the game.

“Great knocks at the top of the order allowed us to get to 270, which proved vital in the end,” said Staddon.

“Exmouth took the chase extremely close, and we learned some good lessons about where we need to keep improving.”

Cornwood remain top on 107 points, which is 13 points more than Heathcoat, whose win at Paignton moved them up to second.

A DIVISION

PLYMOUTH skipper Sam Stein said the lack of significant partnerships was a big cause of the 12-run defeat at Budleigh Salterton.