Baggs blasts 45-ball ton in T20 regional semi-final


Richard Baggs, who scored a 45-ball century against Seaton in the T20 finals day at Budleigh Salterton

By STEVE BIRLEY

Exmouth, for the second successive season, came out of the Exeter and East Devon Servicemaster Devon T20 Area Finals Day as victors after a semi-final demolition of Seaton and a relatively comfortable success over rivals Sidmouth in the final.

The play at Budleigh’s Ottermouth home was delayed by 90 minutes after early morning rain, but once the action got underway there were no further stoppages.

The first of the semi-finals saw Exmouth power to a whopping 231-2 against Seaton. Richard Baggs slammed a 45-ball century before retiring. Baggs hit three sixes and 15 fours in a 53 minute stay at the wicket. He and fellow opener Sandy Allen (40) put on 143 in 13 overs. Allen was the lone success for Seaton, bowled by Joe Berry in the 14th over.

Jon Evenett also retired, in his case after hitting 17, and the not out batsmen were David Lye – who slammed a 20-ball 44 and Bob Dawson (20 from nine).
Seaton did not help themselves as they dropped both openers in the second over and went on to spill six other chances. Berry (1-52), one of eight bowlers used by Seaton skipper Ben Morgan, was their only wicket taker.

Sam Goodier and Joel Seward were the only Seaton batsman to last long in the reply. Goodier hit three fours in a 41-ball stay at the crease which saw him accumulate 24 and Seward chipped in with 15. There were no other batsmen into double figures.

Eight different Maer men bowlers got wickets with Finn Marks (2-3), Jack England (2-7) and David Lye (2-7), leading the way.

In the second semi-final Sidmouth were given a scare when reduced to 38-5 by Bradninch – had number three bat Matt Cooke (62no), not been dropped on six, then the Fortfield men’s final score of 130-7 might have been considerably less.

Anthony Griffiths hit 34 as he and Cooke added 88 in ten overs for the sixth wicket. Bradninch skipper Dan Hardy opened with himself and he went on to take three for 14 fro a full four over shift. Ross Acton picked up 2-12 in his four, that score proved more than enough as only Hardy (47) and Acton (15) reached double figures. Charlie Miles was the Sidmouth match winner with five wickets for nine runs in his four overs.

In the final Sidmouth again failed with the bat as they were this time restricted to 115-7 by the Exmouth bowlers with Liam Lewis hitting then bulk of the runs with a 64-ball 73.

Skipper Gary Chappell (1-15 in four) switched his bowlers around well with Bob Dawson taking 2-10 and both Marques Clarke and David Lye also claiming a wicket each.

Exmouth strolled home with still three full overs and three balls to spare, losing just two wickets along the way with Baggs (42) and Allen (25) the men to fall. David Lye (40) and Dan Pyle (2) were the not out batsmen as the winning line was crossed.


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