Devon Cricket Board - Hatherleigh topple Cornwood from summit

Hatherleigh topple Cornwood from summit

CORNWOOD are off the top of the A Division following a 57-run defeat by Hatherleigh.
Brixham who were second, beat Sandford by five-wickets to move seven points clear of Cornwood.
The two sides meet at the halfway stage of the season in what looks like a possible title decider they way they have been going so far.
Gareth Tidball stroked 87 off 118 balls with 10 fours and a six in Hatherleigh’s 203 all out.
Hatherleigh were slowed up by Adam Goodliffe and Craig James at the start, but upped the tempo during a stand of 113 between Tidball and Rob Cockwill (26) for the third wicket.
Both went close together – Tidball to Jason Hall (4-43), Cockwill to Goodliffe (1-28) – and after that the innings slowed down
Kiwi Carl Schwarz made a quick 29, but the rest of the batting failed as Hall and Elliot Staddon (2-3) ran through the lower order.
Cornwood’s problems started when the loss of opener Jackson Thompson to Sean Letheren (2-24), who followed up with Ben Warren.
Rob Fisheligh removed Chris Parker and Mark Horwell as Cornwood dopped to 44 for four.
Mark Roca and Matt Skeemeer took no risks for the next five overs, advancing the score by until Schwarts bowled Roca for five.
Hall (22) and Skeemer (49) stopped the rot with a stand of 55 for the sixth wicket, but the clock was ticking down and Cornwood were too far behind to catch up.
Hall went at 110 for six – Fishleigh bowled him – then Skeemer was run out.
The tail went with the minimum of fuss as Cornwood were dispatched for 146.

Hathereleigh skipper Mark Lake said his side were good value for their win and revealed the secret of their success running out batsman was a trip to the opticians!

“We got a decent score on an average wicket,” said Lake.

“Gareth and Rob Cockwill batted superbly in a big third-wicket partnership.

“Then we bowled really well as a unit and completed it all with four run outs in a brilliant fielding display.

“Rob Fishleigh was involved in all four run outs, just three days after going to the opticians and being given contact lenses after not being able to pick the ball up whilst fielding.”
One defeat isn’t a disaster and Cornwood's director of cricket Nick Goodliffe said it may be a blessing in disguise.
“This could prove to be a good leveller for the team as we approach the midway point in the season, knowing that no games can be taken for granted and a high level of dedication and focus is going to be needed in every game, said Goodliffe.
“We were not at our normal level in the field and a few key dropped chances allowed the batsmen to push on and get runs.
“This is an area skipper Hall will want to focus on in training this week.”
Goodliffe felt the target was gettable, but Cornwood let themselves down when they batted.
“With the exception of a few unfortunate wickets, generally Cornwood conspired four their own downfall with four run-outs telling the real story,” said Goodliffe.

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