Devon Cricket Board - Nine-man Shobrooke clear first hurdle

Nine-man Shobrooke clear first hurdle

EXETER and East Devon's version of the IPL has resumed with the start of the McKinley White Twenty20 Cup.

The first round has now been completed and saw Shobrooke Park knock out Clyst St George and Countess Wear win a derby against Topsham St James.

Shobrooke had to win with just nine men at Clyst due to a minor car crash en route.

Batting first they posted 162 for four in 20 overs with Jonathan James (66) and Emmanual Parmekellis (29) the leading scorers.

Shobrooke's cause was helped by a number of dropped catches and 20 extras. Julian Welland (2-21) had the pick of the Clyst bowling figures.

Cyst mounted a strong response thanks principally to Steve May who smote 35 with some monster sixes. Sam Cooper chipped in with 26 and there were 25 extras.

Clyst needed 30 off the last three overs despite a good spell from Justin Dollow (2-12) off four. But regular wickets from Peter Turner (4-20) kept pegging the home side back and saw them bowled out for 148.

Topsham St James hosted neighbours Countess Wear and with some players moving between the two clubs over the winter, there may have been a little edge on the match.

Topsham batted first and posted 133 for five with Theo Miller (41) and Ross Treleavan (33 of 19 balls) staring with the bat.

Carl Downs produced respectable figures of two for 15 for the Wear.

The visitors knocked off the runs with three balls to spare and five wickets down, with Dave Harkness (43 off 24 balls) and James Bogue (36) leading the way.

The results mean Shobrooke will entertain Budleigh and Countess Wear will host Exmouth in the next round.

In the other second-round match Exeter are drawn away at Alphington. Sidmouth have a bye to the finals day on July 8 at the County Ground, Exeter.

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