Devon Cricket Board - Plymouth take spoilis in inter-city clash

PLYMOUTH defeated Exeter by two wickets in the inter-city clash on the County Ground.

Victory took Plymouth ahead of Exeter into fifth place in the final standings.

Exeter’s Tom Richadson took the Plymouth attack for a top score of 57.

Andrew Curtis helped himself to 47 and there were bits and pieces from Will Steward (20) and skipper Rob Holman (16), who chose to bat down the order in the last outing of the season.

Exeter were looking for a 200-plus total before Plymouth’s Marnus Labuschagne performed the hat-trick – aided and abetted by keeper Callum Whittaker.

Richardson and Andy Mead were caught and stumped respectively from the final two deliveries of Labuschagne’s fourth over.

Merrick Steward went to the first ball of Labuschagne’s fifth over, like Mead stumped by Whittaker.

Exeter went from 167 for six to 177 for nine in the space of nine balls and lost out on late-order runs as they were dismissed for 183 with more than three overs to go.

Plymouth made steady progress knocking off the runs with James Toms (27) and Labuschagne (40) leading the way.

Exeter got back in the game during a spell that saw Adam Gribble (4-18) put Plymouth behind the clock.

Labuschagne was run out by Curtis trying to up the tempo, with Toms, Jake Luffman, George Stephenson and Harry Bennett all going in quick succession.

Plymouth’s 91 for two had become 120 for six and the game was sporting a different complexion.

Ben Stein (32) and Rob Bennett (20) had a bit of luck with dropped catches, but their stand of 42 took the game away from Exeter and when Bennett was bowled by Tom Viljoen the target was two to win.

Skipper Matt Hooper said fifth place was a ‘fair reflection’ of the season, although there were times when the team looked better than that.

“Jake Luffman was disappointed not to get 500 runs after the season he has had but he should be very pleased with what he has achieved,” said Hooper.

“I would expect him to be starting with the Devon Lions next year as he will only get better from here.

“Marnus was a real find for us and provided the team with a level of professionalism in our approach to games.

“He was everything that an overseas player should be, brilliant on the pitch but also hard working for the club of it.

“I don't think I heard him complain once and I think he has gone home a better player.

He was happy to get 700 runs but he promised me a 1,000 at the start of the season so he still owes me a little.

“He has said he would like to return next year but obviously that is dependent on where he is at with his cricket.

“James Toms was also fantastic, quietly going about his business of scoring shed loads of runs without us even noticing, it's just the norm for him. His 150 by drinks at Budleigh was a pleasure to witness.

“Our bowling was brilliant on occasion and we bowled well as a team.

“I am excited to see how Rob Bennett and Ben Stein return from a season in Australia, I am sure it will do them good.”

SAFE at last! Cornwood did enough in their 47-run defeat against Premier champions Exmouth to stave off an immediate return to the A Division.

Richard Baggs top scored with 86 as Exmouth put 255 for eight on the board at Oak Park.

The cornerstone of the innings was a stand of 92 between Baggs and Benton (36) that took the tally up to 142 for three.

After Baggs was fourth out on 165, the baton passed to Anning and Chris Metters.

Metters, recently released by Warwickshire after three years on the staff, made 52 and Anning 32 in a brisk stand of 82 for the fifth wicket.

In a busy last over from Cornwood captain Jason Hall, Metters was out first ball, Anning went to the next and Buzza then Lawrence Greenway went in succession to balls five and six.

Hall went from none for 26 to four for 34 as the wickets tumbled.

Cornwood went into the game needing eight points to be safe from relegation – and were halfway there at tea thanks to bowling bonus points.

Getting the other four just to be on the safe side in case Bradninch defeated Bovey Tracey, proved less than straightforward.

Toby Ingham (2-28) led the way as Cornwood dipped to 57 for four and alarm bells started clanging.

Cornwood needed a partnership to stop the rot and it was supplied by Mark Horwell and Hall, who put in 69.

Hall was first out for 26, but Cornwood had used up time and got into bonus point territory by then.

Baggs rotated his bowlers looking for another breakthrough, but wit h limited success.

By the time Horwell was ninth out at 191 for a gutsy 66 there was only an over and a half to go and Cornwood were safe as news of Bradninch’s defeat had already filtered through.

The obvious reaction from the Cornwood camp would be one of relief at staying up, but that was only partly true.

Two of the club’s sides clinched promotion on Saturday, which engendered a feelgood factor too.

“The 1st XI match was a hard-fought encounter and Cornwood fought for every point,” said chairman of selectors Mike Hawkes.

“Neither side gave an inch and for the spectators, it was an absorbing match, as the home sides fortunes fluctuated, as updates from others matches were relayed to the players and supporters.

“Good bowling at the death and a tail that wagged enabled Cornwood to gain sufficient points to remain in the Premier Division for another season.

“The 3rd XI’s win enabled them to avoid relegation and the 4th XI returned from their game at Whitchurch runners-up in their division and gaining promotion.

“The 2nd XI were relegated from Premier Two, but the experience gained by the young squad will benefit the club in the future.”