- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
CORNWOOD pulled off a remarkable 11-run win over Bradninch to move out of the Premier bottom two and set up a grandstand finish to the season.
Bradninch seemed on course for victory after reaching 216 for five chasing 238 to win.
Pakistani paceman Asif Raza has been reliable all season but when the chips were down he cranked it up a notch.
Raza came back for his second spell to take three wickets in a hurry – Elliot Staddon took the other two needed – as Bradninch lost five wickets for 13 runs on their way to 226 all out.
Victory means Cornwood move out of the bottom two at Bradninch’s expense and now have a 10-point cushion – not much but a start on the road to safety.
Mike Hawkes, Cornwood’s chairman of selectors, said the manner of the win made him confident relegation can be avoided.
“This win typified the team’s never- say-die attitude,” said Hawkes.
“With only 25 runs needed from four and half overs and five wickets in hand, Bradninch were in the box seat.
“Cornwood’s bowlers stuck to their task admirably, with Asif Raza and Elliott Staddon mopping up the Bradninch tail without any significant contribution.
“We secured a vital win in the relegation scrap and proved Cornwood have what it takes to dig their way out in the remaining four fixtures.”
Mark Horwell showed the form that had the Devon Lions enquiring after his availability with a top score of 65 in Cornwood’s 237 for five.
Chris Parker made 50 – he and Rob Dart (30) put on 61 for the first wicket – then Horwell notched 44 with Asif (23) before he was dismissed by Jackson Thompson (2-61).
Jason Hall (21) and Matt Skeemer (32no) put on 51 in four overs at the end.
Thompson’s 64 and 46 by Dan Hardy got Bradninch up to 107 for three in reply. Ross Acton (77 off 83 balls) more than kept the momentum going and until Staddon trapped him lbw the odds on a Cornwood win looked remote.
Tim Piper, the Bradninch captain, said the damage done isn’t irreparable, but could have been avoided.
“There were a few umpiring decisions I disagreed with, but that's going to happen sometimes and even with those, there was no excuse to lose the game from the position we were in,” said Piper.
“We were in the driving seat throughout the match and looked nailed-on winners until a decent second spell from Raza.
“There were two simple things we could have done better that would have ultimately won us the game.
“Running between the wickets was one. More importantly, I felt, was the last 10-15 overs of their innings when cruised to the innings break.
“Poor efforts and bad fielding cost us 20-30 runs. It was very disappointing to see.
“Although the loss is a big one and was devastating, it's only a 10 point gap to make up. Anything could happen.