Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth race to cup final victory in 4.4 overs

Sidmouth race to cup final victory in 4.4 overs

The victorious Sidmouth team with skipper Will Murray after beating Exeter in the Devon Cup final at Torquay
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SCOTT Barlow reeled off a career best seven-wicket haul as Sidmouth humbled Exeter in the Tolchards Devon Cup final at Torquay.
The Devon seamer picked up seven for 16 in 7.5 overs as Exeter were hustled out for a paltry 37.
Partner in crime Dan Babula had the other three wickets at a cost of 21 runs.
Sidmouth needed just 4.4 overs to knock off the runs – Devon captain Josh Bess making most of them in a quickfire 28 before he was dismissed four runs short of victory.
Exeter skipper Miles Lenygon gambled on batting first after winning the toss and it was a decision that backfired on him.
“I was relieved when Miles said he would have a bat as that took the pressure off me to make a decision, not knowing what the right one would have been,” admitted Sidmouth captain Will Murray, pictured collecting the silverware from Devon League chairman Stuart Munday.
“The forecast was for rain by four o’clock which would have meant run rates coming into play if there was any sort of delay.
“Batting first in those circumstances can go wrong on you if it comes down to run rate and the opposition have a ten-over thrash for a lowered target.
“It wasn’t the best wicket I have seen this season, but it certainly wasn’t a 37-all-out wicket either.
“The fact is Scott and Dan bowled brilliantly and we backed them both up with some great catches, either caught behind or at slip or gully.”
Lenygon said his decision to bat first was based on two factors: previous experiences at Torquay and a desire to play positive cricket.
“When we played at Torquay in the league the pitch was worse after tea than before to it made sense to bat first anyway,” said Lenygon.
“Also, against a side with a confident batting line up like Sidmouth you don’t want to let them set the agenda.
“I was hoping to get a respectable total, look to get a couple of early Sidmouth wickets then put pressure on the middle order.
“There was always a risk with the threat of rain about, but we shouldn’t have been dismissed for 37.
“We didn’t perform with the bat against what is a very good bowling attack.”
Lenygon opened the batting for Exeter and was out first ball – leaving a delivery from Barlow (pictured with his match mementos) that swung in and hit the stumps.
Babula snared Rob Holman in the second over the Barlow took a return catch off his own bowling to account for Neal Prowse.
Sean Morris was caught in the gully by Liam Lewis off Babula as Exeter stumbled to 22 for four.
In the space of 11 balls Barlow took four more wickets for no runs at all. With Babula getting one as well Exeter were well and truly sunk.
Bess grabbed two catches at slip, Will Sobczak had one next to him and keeper Pete Randerson gloved a couple.
Will Steward was not out on 11 – Exeter’s only score in double figures – when Barlow had Adam Gribble caught at long-off to conclude the city side’s innings. It had lasted 14.5 overs.
Bess and Lewis looked like knocking off the total unaided – and Bess smote boundaries like a man possessed in at attempt to do it single handed. With victory a couple of heaves away, Bess got the cover drive out of the locker and was superbly caught by a diving Prowse in the covers.

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