Devon Cricket Board - Braunton through in cup with two balls to spare

Braunton through in cup with two balls to spare

TONY PRYCE SPORTS DEVON CUP

EXMOUTH don’t have to worry about the Devon Cup getting in the way of their A Division promotion aspirations this season after bowing out by two-wickets in a nail-biter with Braunton.

Exmouth, who lured former Devon captain Nick Folland out of retirement at the ripe old age of 46 to play, made 228 for seven in their 40 overs.

Braunton chased all the way to the end and scraped home with two balls to spare in the final over, bowled by Folland.

David Lye was Exmouth's top scorer with 42, which came in a stand worth 84 with Andy Buzza (37) for the third wicket that pushed the score up to 119.

Skipper Richard Baggs without another run added, leaving Folland (23) and Chris Metters (41no) to chivvy the score along.

Braunton bowler Jon Higgs took the wickets of Lye, Buzza and Folland in his three for 43.

Braunton, who had to play without injured former Somerset and England star Mark Lathwell, cracked along to 126 for two with Barney Huxtable (62) and Tom Mitcham (53) hoisting 112 for the second wicket.

Andy Paddison made 27, then Higgs (22) and Ross Burbidge got the target down to five to win off the last over.

Folland got Higgs out, Jon Baglow blocked the next ball then hit a four and a single to win the game.

Metters capped a fine match with three for 45. Baggs, Lye and Trevor Anning had identical figures of one for 33 from eight overs.

Exmouth 228-7 (D Lye 42, C Metters 41no, A Buzza 37; J Higgs 3-43), Braunton 229-8 (B Huxtable 62, T Mitcham 53, A Paddison 27, J Higgs 22; C Metters 3-43). Braunton bt Exmouth by 2 wkts.

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