Devon Cricket Board - Cornwood crash back to earth at Sidmouth

Cornwood crash back to earth at Sidmouth

CORNWOOD were brought down to earth after their first-day win over Sandford by a 153-run defeat at Sidmouth.
Sidmouth reached 248 for four in 46.4 overs of a rain-affected game before umpires Graham Curson and Dave Moseby decided their time was up.
The innings was built on a hefty stand of 222 for the first wicket between Devon pair Josh Bess and Liam Lewis, who both made centuries.
Bess, who drilled ten fours and a six, made 110 from 134 balls faced and was out there for 43 overs.
Lewis, dropped once on 49,went went one better with 11 from 137 balls with a dozen fours and a six.
Both were finally sent back by Matt Skeemer, whose two for 42 was about as good as it got for the Corns. Byron Langley had two for 48 after the openers went.
Cornwood’s problem was failing to stop Sidmouth scoring at around five an over and setting a target which was going to be tough to make on a damp day by the seaside. Cornwood got nowhere near it.
After an early working over from Dan Babula (4-31), Bess and Scott Barlow, Cornwood were 21 for four after nine overs.
Jackson Thompson, Cornwood’s high-profile signing from Bradninch, hit Bess for two fours and then got out to Barlow.
Craig Harris, Chris Parker and Skeemer all missed out and when Babula had skipper Jason Hall caught behind the Corns were 30 for five.
The tail resisted – led by Elliot Stadon with 23 – but the damage was done. Will Murray mopped up the stragglers as the Corns dipped to 95 all out.
Sidmouth skipper Murray said the opening stand between Lewis and Bess won the match before tea.
“When you get stuck in on a wet wicket there is the danger of being 50 for three – or worse,” said Murray.
“Josh and Liam are two of the most experienced batsmen around and knew exactly what to do.
“I can’t recall Josh offering a chance. Liam might have offered on in the 40s, but it was sharp and more of a half chance really.”
You take your positives where you can after a drubbing like this, and Cornwood captain Hall managed to find a few, particularly in the field.
“Whilst on the face of the result it is a hammering suffered against a strong Sidmouth team, there are some positives to take away,” said Hall.
“Lewis and Bess played outstanding innings and thoroughly deserved 100s.
“Our young team though has come along way in five or six years and if you look back, 250 would have easily been 300 years ago.
“We created chances and another day taking them may have just changed the mindset of the game.
“Our bowling was good in patches, and Matt Butterworth bowled excellently into a gale as did Matt Skeemer.
Our bowlers just need to cut out boundary balls and string some collective overs together.”
The batting was a different story.
“Our players need to learn to bat time in the middle and not live on the glory of the previous shot,” said Hall.
“We also need to set ourselves realistic targets and hope that we can meet them in coming weeks.
“Elliot Staddon showed he is learning quickly and played a promising innings at the end.
“Hopefully he can take this innings forward into coming weeks.”

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