Devon Cricket Board - Ashtead heading for Exmouth in NatWest T20 Southern Final

Ashtead heading for Exmouth in NatWest T20 Southern Final

EXMOUTH have been drawn against Ashtead from Surrey in the last eight of the NatWest ECB T20 Cup.

The two sides will battle it out at Exmouth this Sunday for a place in next month’s final, being played at Northamptonshire’s Wantage Road ground.

Four regional winners go to Northampton for the semi-finals and finals on September 14, which will be broadcast live on SkyTV.

Exmouth qualified on Sunday through the zonal finals at Sidmouth, where they defeated St Just and Taunton St Andrews.

Ashtead, who play in the Surrey Championship, defeated Sussex champs Hastings Priory in their zonal semi-final before seeing off Kent winners Beckenham in the final.

Exmouth got past St Just by 11 runs in the morning semi-final after posting 131 for nine.
And Taunton St Andrew were dispatched by 41 runs in the final after Exmouth smashed 177 for five in their 20 overs.
Exmouth know they will be at home in the last eight on Sunday, but are waiting for ECB to say who is coming to town.
“It doesn’t really matter as at this stage of the competition whoever you play is going to be good,” said Exmouth skipper Gary Chappell.
If Exmouth win they will qualify for the televised finals days at Northampton CCC next month, which is broadcast live on Sky TV.
Bob Dawson (right) top scored with 37 and there were chip-ins for Richard Baggs (26) and Gary Chappell (23).
Mark George topped the bowling returns with five for 21.
St Just never recovered from a nightmare start and despite playing catch-up were 120 for seven at the close.
“We were 11 for three and although Gavin Edwards made 47 we got to the last three overs needing 30 and it was too many,” said vice-captain Nick George.
Ian Bishop (2-16) took early wickets then David Lye (4-20) kept the heat on.
“We had been looking at around 150 on that wicket, but once Bish and Ollie Dawe had them 11 for three we knew they were not going to win,” said skipper Chappell.
Port Talbot were bowled out for 88 in the other semi to St Andrews and lost by eight wickets with four overs to to.
Sandy Allen’s 58 off 38 balls set the tone for the win over St Andrews, with Bob Dawson (26), Seb Benton (46) and Dave Lye (21) all lashing the bowling.
Allen and Dawson smote 60 between then for the second wicket off only 28 balls.
Benton’s 46 came from a mere 21 balls and included 19 in the final over from Lloyd Alley (1-57).
Bishop (2-22) again took early wickets when St Andrews batted, Lye (1-12) did the restraining job and Chappell took three for 11 as the Taunton side were bowled out for 136.
Ollie Dawe nipped out Keith Parsons, the former Somerset star, whose unbeaten 33 had paved the way for victory over Port Talbot in the semi.
Lloyd Poole’s 31 off 17 balls came too late to change anything. Chappell picked him off on the way to figures of three for 12.
“It was classicT20 – we scored big runs and took early wickets to make our total look out of reach,” said Chappell.
“Over the two matches it was a great team performance. Everyone contributed something with bat or ball on one of the games.”
SEMI FINALS
Exmouth 130-9 (R Dawson 37, R Baggs 26, G Chappell 23; M George 5-21), St Just 119-8 (G Edwards 49, J Stephens 26; D Lye 4-20, I Bishop 2-16). Exmouth bt St Just by 11 runs.
Port Talbot Town 88 (L Alley 2-12, J Wadhal 2-12), Taunton St Andrews 89-2 (Keith Parsons 33, Kevin Parsons 31). Taunton St Andrews bt Port Talbot by eight wickets.
FINAL
Exmouth 177-5 (S Allen 58, S Benton 46, D Lye 21; L Poole 2-29), Taunton St Andrews 136 (Kevin Parsons 28, L Poole 31;G Chappell 3-11, J Tapper 2-40). Exmouth bt Taunton St Andrews by 41 runs.

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