JULY 4, 2007
IT'S all set up for a grandstand finish in the group section of the Newton Abbot Twenty20 after wins for South Devon and Abbotskerswell over Kingskerswell and Dawlish respectively.
South Devon were seven-wicket winners over Kingskerswell after dismissing Group Two leaders for 62.
Kingskerswell remain top of the group but South Devon will overtake them in the final round of fixtures if they defeat Bovey Tracey.
A Bovey Tracey win won't do anyone any favours other than Kingskerswell, who will go through to the final.
Abbotskerswell trail Chudleigh in Group One with one game left to play, which is against leaders Chudleigh. If Abbots beat Chudleigh competition organisers will have to find a way of separating the two teams as they will be level on points. Run rate looks the most likely solution, but there is nothing in the rules to cover it.
Kerswell, the surprise package in this season's competition, faced an uphill task at South Devon after slumping from 16 for four into even more trouble at 36 for eight.
Dangerman Sergio Fedee, lbw to Rizwan Saeed, and Paul Mitchell, who was cleaned out first ball by Mike Smith, didn't manage a run between them.
Left-armer Chris Metters breezed through the middle order before Antony Waters (34) offered some resistance. It wasn't enough.
Danny Johnson (18), Smith (12) and Rizwan (17no) eased South Devon home with more than seven overs to go.
Dawlish were bowled out for 108 at Abbotskerswell, which will have been a disappointment after they were 81 for three at one stage.
Karl Blackburn (17) and Tim O'Connell (38) gave Dawlish a great start, which foundered as four wickets tumbled for the same number of runs.
Marcus Green (4-22) and Shaun Kenny (3-16) were easily the pick of the Abbots' bowling attack.
Brad Wright (23) had early runs for Abbots, who slowed as O'Connell (3-10) got to work.
Skipper Green put Abbots back on the right track with a brisk 34 not out that hurried his side to victory with four overs to spare.
Chudleigh host Abbotskerswell next Wednesday night. South Devon are at Bovey Tracey. The final is the following Wednesday (July 18) at Chudleigh.
Kingskerswell 62 (A Waters 34; C Metters 4-13, D Knowles 2-6, R Saeed 2-5), South Devon 63-3 (R Saeed 17no. D J Johnson 18). South Devon bt Kingskerwell by 7 wkts.
Dawlish & Teignmouth 108 (T O'Connell 38, K Blackburn 17; M Green 4-22, S Kenny 3-16, S Green 2-8), Abbotskerswell 109-5 (B Wright 23, M Green 34no; T O'Connell 3-10). Abbotskerswell bt Dawlish & Teignmouth by 5 wkts.