Devon Cricket Board - Cornwood lose rain-affected game

Cornwood lose rain-affected game

CORNWOOD aren’t about to run-up the white flag on their Premier Division survival hopes despite their unenviable position at the foot off the table.
Champs in waiting Sidmouth handed out a 10-wicket defeat to Cornwood in their latest outing in a game that deteriorated into the ‘farcical’ at times.
The Corns are now 43 points adrift at the bottom and have to get past Sandford then Heathcoat to reach safety.
Senior player Matt Butterworth said it may seem a tall order, but there is every reason to fight on.
“There are more than 140 points left to play for so staying up is still possible,” said Butterworth.
“Torquay were in a similar situation a few years ago, but won enough games to give themselves a chance and beat champions North Devon on the last day of the season to stay up.
“We need a few upsets, but we have a squad capable of doing it. And we have the advantage of having nothing to lose.
“A bit more application with the bat – we get starts but no one seems to go on to a big score – and who knows?”
Cornwood made 161 for nine in the full 50 overs against Sidmouth – Byron Langley (35) pipping Ben Warren (31) by a boundary.
The conditions were ideal for Sidmouth’s seam attack and in particular Dan Babula, who picked up four for 12.
Rain then played havoc with the second half. Following a couple of intermissions, Sidmouth were left needed 91 to win. Openers Josh Bess (50) and Liam Lewis (35) got them, although both were dropped on the way.
“Should we have gone back out? Probably not as the condition for fielding were farcical,” said Butterworth.
“It was like bowling and fielding with a wet sponge, which made a hard job for us even more difficult.”

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