Devon Cricket Board - 1998 - Abbots pay the price for collapse

1998 - Abbots pay the price for collapse

A DISASTROUS middle order collapse cost underdogs Abbotskerswell their chance of victory over Paignton 2nd XI in the Midas Shield final at Queens Park.

After holding the hosts to a modest 103 from their fifteen eight-ball overs, Abbots were hopeful of turning over the favourites.

A useful contribution of three wickets from nine runs by Abbots' skipper Carl Mitchell had Paignton reeling with only Mark Ashworth (22) and Mark Edwards (19) making any significant headway for the hosts.

With Paignton seemingly 30 runs short of a decent total, the visitors looked comfortable at 50 for two after six overs but then disaster struck.

Abbotskerswell's middle order crumbled under a display of weak batting with four wickets falling for only two runs.

A healthy crowd watched as Paignton closed in victory, leaving batsmen Cole (10no) and Palmer (8no) 30 runs short of victory.

Mitchell was also the leading light in the Abbots batting attack but his 29 was overshadowed by his team's failure to take control.

Paignton 103 (Ashworth 22, M Edwards 19, C Mitchell 3-9); Abbotskerswell 72-6 (C Mitchell 29, M Edwards 2-19)

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