EXMOUTH have new priorities for what remains of the season after reaching the finals of the ECB T20 Clubs Championship.
Exmouth’s dramatic last-ball win over Wimbledon last Sunday earned them a trip to the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff on September 1 for the semi-finals and final day.
The draw was made yesterday and pits Exmouth against Pudsey Congs in the morning semi-final.
Ealing play Chester Broughton Hall in the second semi-final after lunch with the final due at around 6pm.
Admission to the game is free and Exmouth are hoping to take a sizeable contingent of Devon cricket lovers with them to the game, not just their own members.
Sky TV will be at finals day. Last year they put together a highlights programme broadcast in mid-September.
Exmouth are long out of the running for the Premier title so winning the T20 has become their focus,
The last two Premier games of the season – Plymouth this Saturday and Bovey Tracey on the last day – now have a lesser importance.
“Hopefully, we will finish the season as well as we can with two wins,” said skipper Gary Chappell.
“We will be short for the next two weeks as we have a few people unavailable.
“With a couple of injured players resting before the T20 finals we have to call on some second teamers to help us out.”
EXETER and Heathcoat meet on the County Ground with the pressure off after securing their Premier Division status for another year.
Heathcoat defeated Paignton in a basement battle last time out while Exeter were disposing of Plympton to banish their slender fears of the drop.
Although the heat has been turned down, neither captain sees that as a reason to take things easy.
“Winning is much more enjoyable,” said Exeter skipper Miles Lenygon.
“We have had a good second half of the season and the boys are determined to finish with two wins and a place in the top half.”
Toby Lochead, the Heathcoat vice-captain, said virtually the same things.
“It’s nice to go into the last two games without the worry of relegation, however that doesn't mean we will not be trying to win those games and finish as high up the table as possible.
“What it does allow us to do is give youngsters a chance who have impressed in the 2nd XI and allow them to play without any pressure as we look to build for next year.”