Devon Cricket Board - Axminster edge last-over nail biter

Axminster edge last-over nail biter

BARNSTAPLE & Pilton’s relegation fears deepened after they went down by one-wicket in a thrilling game against Axminster.
Brady Saunders hit a top score of 87, and James Thomas made 41, as B&P reached 207 for eight.
On a good day for the spinners, Axminster pair Dave Field (4-54) and Gary Larcombe (2-32) performed well.
Axminster looked to be cruising at one stage as Mike Wakeley (62) and Joel Seward (66) got them going then David Murnane (31) helped them to 197 for five with five overs to go.
It should have been a cakewalk. But Axminster suddenly found they could not score a run!
The last over from Paul Schiller (4-39) arrived with Axminster needing five to win with three wickets intact.
Schiller took two of them, but a scrambled single and for byes when Alex Wraight and Nick Taylor were at the wicket got Axminster over the line with one wicket and one ball to go.
Barnstaple remain in the bottom two where they are 24 points away from safety. They play Plymstock this Saturday at Dean Cross.
Relieved Axminster skipper Tristan Wakeley said: “I'm slightly disappointed that it got that close.
“We started positively and coasted along keeping up with the rate, then lost quick wickets.
“Needing 12 of 18 balls we still looked comfortable, but made a mess of it and with one wicket left four byes won us the game.”

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