AARON PRINTERS NARRACOTT CUP
LAST-wicket pair Neil Robinson and Dave Boland steered Stoke Gabriel to an unlikely win over South Devon in the Aaron Printers Narracott Cup.
South Devon must have thought they were on their way to the last eight after making 124 for nine in their 15 eight-ball overs, then reducing Stoke to 76 for nine in reply.
Rob Baker (20) and Steve Tolley (24) had been the only batsmen to score many runs as Stoke struggled not to run themselves out, or get out to Chris Metters (3-20) and Henry Burningham (2-23).
Forty-nine to win should have been too many for the last pair, although appearances can be deceptive.
Skipper Robinson is no tail-end Charlie, but agreed to make up the number and play even though he was injured. How glad were stoke that he did!
Stoke needed 22 to win with two overs to go and got the target down to 12 off the last one, bowled by South Devon's promising youngster Jonty Parsons.
Boland, who had come in at fourth wicket down. and Robinson nudged the scores dead level on 124 for nine by the end of the over, which meant the rule-book coming out for a consultation.
The deciding clause was ‘most sixes hit' which was where Stoke ‘won' the tied game 5-2.
Having gone out to Cockington last season to the same rule, Stoke will no doubt have had some sympathy for the losers.
South Devon's main run scorers were Burningham, he made 24, and Matt Blackmore with 38.
Tom Armstrong (4-14) was clearly the pick of the wicket takers for Stoke.
South Devon 124-9 (M Blackmore 38, H Burningham 24, A Hewings 17; T Armstrong 4-14, J Day 2-27), Stoke Gabriel 124-9 (S Tolley 24, R Baker 20, D Bolland 41no; C Metters 3-20, J Parsons 2-16, H Burningham 2-23). Stoke bt South Devon on sixes hit.
BABBACOMBE went though at Cockington's expense in the Aaron Printers Narracott Cup clash at Walls Hill.
Cockington made a modest 98 for eight in their 15 eight-ball overs, which Babbacombe knocked off with seven wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare.
Shaun Needham hit a top score of 49 for Cockington, whose next best contribution was nine not out from Gavin Colegate.
Cockington were 73 for four with five overs to go, but failed to accelerate when needed.
Pick of the Babbacombe bowlers was skipper Paul Bates, whose four for 17 included Needham. Marcus Thompson and Terry Farkins had two each.
Thompson (25) and Rob Redding gave Babbacombe a 29-run start, the Karl Blackburn (39no) took centre stage.
Blackburn and Farkins (5no) posted 34 unbroken to see Babbacombe to second round clash with the winners of the delayed game between Barton and Totnes.
Meanwhile, the delayed game between Stoke Gabriel and South Devon, called off halfway through first time around, has been pencilled in for this Thursday night (May 29).
Holders Bovey Tracey are through – they will play Brixham on June 5 – as Ipplepen were unable to raise a side for a rearranged game last week.
Cockington 98-8 (S Needham 49; M Thompson 2-25, T Farkins 2-21, P Bates 4-17), Babbacombe 101-3 (K Blackburn 39no, M Thompson 25; S Needham 2-25). Babbacombe bt Cockington by 7wkts.
RAIN is playing havoc with the scheduled games in the Aaron Printers Narracott Cup as none of the first four matches have been played to a conclusion.
Brixham totted up 183 for eight before the weather intervened in their game against Chelston.
Andy Pugh (56) and Richard Ward (72) stroked 107 for the second wicket.
The heavens opened during the change round. Chelston conceded the match.
South Devon reached 108 against Stoke Gabriel in their game before the weather curtailed proceedings. A replay date has been fixed for May 29.
Thursday night's (May 150) games between Barton and Dartington, and Ipplepen and holders Bovey Tracey, were called off early due to waterlogged pitches.
Brixham 183-8 (A Pugh 56, R Ward 72; M Faulkner 2-49. L Tallamy 4-43) v Chelston. Rain stopped play.