Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division: Plymouth keep nerve in nail-biter

CLIFF-HANGER kings Plymouth were at it again as they held on tight to beat Premier champions Sidmouth at Mount Wise by the narrowest margin going.
Two weeks ago the city side chased a league record target of 369 to win at Budleigh Salterton – and got the runs with two runs to spare.
This time it was Sidmouth on the chase against Plymouth, who posted a modest total of 221 for four the set about defending it.
Sixty to win from the last five overs looked a tall order until Sidmouth tail-ender Scott Barlow started boshing the ball around.
Seventeen to win from the last two overs became 10 from six balls when Plymouth skipper Matt Hooper handed the ball over to Marnus Labuschange.
The South African chucked down some wides to give Sidmouth an unintentional helping hand as the target became six to win from five balls.
In a thrilling finish the countdown went five from four, four off three, three from two and two to win off the last ball, which was a dot to give Plymouth victory by one run. It doesn’t get any closer than that at all.
Plymouth captain Matt Hooper said the game was a ‘fantastic advert’ for Devon cricket and praised the umpires for their positive approach to playing when the surface was damp.
As for the cliff-hanger finish, Hooper said top sides like Sidmouth never roll over for anyone.
“I thought it was in the bag with five overs to go,” said Hooper.
“Sidmouth they needed 60or something but then their batters went off.
“They are champions for a reason and they bat a long way down, a good cricketing side.
“We have a young bowling attack but I was proud how they coped under pressure, they stuck to their plans.
“We can improve when bowling at the death - me included.
“Ben Stein's spell of off-spin in the middle was superb. He needs to be careful, he is nearly out bowling me!”
Cameron Whittaker (72) and Labuschange (87no) were the prime run getters for Plymouth, putting on 107 in 19 overs for the second wicket.
James Toms went cheaply – no ton for him against Sidmouth, unlike last season – leaving Whittaker and Labuschange to get on with it.
“Callum batted brilliantly,” said Hooper. “He was given a bit of a rough time ,but batted really well.
“It is crucial one of your top order gets runs and there is nobody who wants to get runs for the team more than him.
“Callum and Marnus should both be very pleased with themselves as they got big runs against arguably the best bowling attack in the league.
“Ben Stein's little cameo at the end, 24 off nine balls was crucial. Brilliant batting by an excellent batsman.”
Sidmouth looked long odds to get anywhere near after they tumbled to 64 for four in reply under pressure from Rob Bennett, who pressed his county claims by taking three for 29.
Anthony Griffiths (98no) remained in place and with Peter Randerson (37) in tow kept Sidmouth just about in the frame.
It got really interesting when Barlow started smashing it around – belting 40 off 17 balls including five sixes – but he couldn’t manage another in the last over to win it.
Victory leaves Plymouth fourth in the table on 98 points, a deficit of 31 on leaders Bovey Tracey with two games to go before halfway.
“We want to give ourselves a shot at the title and I think, at the moment, we are doing that,” said Hooper.
“If we can get a run together then you never know…"
CORNWOOD’S safety margin at the foot of the table was trimmed to seven points after they lost by 26 runs to North Devon in the basement battle at Oak Park.
The Corns aren’t in the bottom two yet, but North Devon who are moved right in behind them on the strength of this win.
Torquay were below Cornwood before the latest round of matches, but their 10-wicket win over bottom side Budleigh gave them some breathing space.
North Devon made 188 for nine in a rain-reduced 41-over game, thanks largely to a stand of 103 for the fourth wicket between Glenn Querl (54) and Jas Kalsi (39).
Cornwod shared the wickets around with Jason Hall and Andy Bees taking two each.
The Corns prospects looked grim from the early stages as Matt Westaway (3-22) was largely responsible for sending them to 50 for four.
Ninety-two for six wasn’t much better, but Cornwood’s situation improved when Matt Skeemer arrived and dug in for a valiant 53.
Sam Witheridge (2-24) removed Skeemer at 142 for seven and it didn’t take long to knock over the tail as Cornwood lost their last four wickets for 16 runs in 22 balls.
For sidelined skipper Craig Harris it was a largely frustrating afternoon with a couple of plus points.
“It was a disappointing result as it was a game we were targeting to win,” said Harris.
“I felt they scored around 30 too many and chasing 150 would have been much more of a score to get.
“That said, we did concede 30 extras and let numerous singles off in the close ring.
“In reply we were bogged down by tight bowling
“Fields were set accordingly and it made it hard for us to score.
“Our massive positive was Matt Skeemer registering his maiden 1st XI 50.

“Matt’s counter innings brought us in to the game with placement and power. One for the future for sure.”