Devon Cricket Board - Cornwood end season on sombre note

Cornwood end season on sombre note

CORNWOOD’S season ended on a low and sombre note in which their defeat by Exeter meant very little.
Relegation was already a certainty for Cornwood before they lost by four wickets to Exeter – and down they go after two years in the top flight.
The club has also been mourning the loss of long-serving groundsman Dave Vanstone, who died suddenly at home of a suspected heart-attack. His funeral is at Efford Crematorium in Plymouth this Friday (2pm).
Vanstone had been associated with the Oak Park club for around 20 years and had become part of the fixtures and fittings.
A statement released by the club said: “There will not be many members who did not have an affection for Dave, as up until recently he was always at the club in his football shorts and rolled-down socks, huffing and puffing around.
“Dave was always there to open the pavilion in the morning and lock up in the evening.
“Often he would spend time when the place was quiet tidying up and painting over marks on the walls.
“He had many affectionate nicknames and was always keen to have a laugh and a joke with everyone.
“Club captain Jason Hall recently stated, Dave’s quirky personality always had members smiling.
“Dave had a truly generous nature and if you ever visited him at Christmas time there was always a glass of port and slice of best Stilton on offer.”
Cornwood were held to 213 for nine on the County Ground in the last senior game being played there before the 112-year old pavilion is knocked down and a new one built about 50 yards away.
Jackson Thompson made 58 of the first 93 on the board, then Steve Lambert (42) and Matt Skeemer (29) took the Corns most of the way to 213.
Wickets fell in the last few overs in the search for runs, Neal Prowse snaffling five for 38.
Exeter got home with nine wickets to spare and were seldom in any real difficulty.
Skipper Miles Lenygon opened up and missed out – Adam Goodliffe dispatched him for one – but Alec Bosomworth (54) and Ben Green (47) made an 80-run dent in the target.
Thompson slowed things down for a while, as did skipper Hall, but Exeter were never that far behind the rate to worry.
Prowse (37) and Sean Morris (37) got Exeter to 188 for five and Cornwood were not going to reel them in from there.
For Exeter skipper Miles Lenygon, fifth in the final table was respectable in a season of transition.
“It's been a great season,” said Lenygon.
“We are the youngest side in the Premier Division and the future for this group is exciting.
“Add an overseas player to the mix and we will be very optimistic next year.”

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