Devon Cricket Board - Premier 2nd XI: Smith the hero (again) for Paignton

Premier 2nd XI: Smith the hero (again) for Paignton

PREMIER DIVISION 2^nd XI

SIDMOUTH lost by one wicket off the last ball of the match in a thrilling encounter with Paignton on the Fortfield.

Will Sobcjek marked his seasonal bow for Sidmouth with 72, and Graham Munday made 24, as Sidmouth reached 163 for five in a 35-over game.

Sobcjek, who opened up, faced 95 balls before being run out at 140 for four.

Mike Meech, Ben Benton, Chris Smith and Ben Luck took a wicket each.

Paignton’s chase was a real see-saw affair which went from crisis stage at 26 for four to reaching the last over needing six to win and the final ball four short.

Tim Ward (67) and Mark Griffiths (39) hauled Paignton round wit a stand of 71 for the fifth wicket as the target was whittled down.

Mark Jasper (4-33) kept chipping away with wickets and had the task of bowling the final over.

Two balls in Jasper got out Ben Benton, exposing last man Chris Smith, who proved the man of the moment.

Paignton skipper Ward said he was an ‘incredible game of cricket’ with a curious twist at the end.

“We bowled and fielded okay - 24 wides and four dropped catches didn’t help the cause - then we found ourselves 25 for four off five overs,” said Ward.

“We did a bit of rebuilding work and got ourselves into a winning position - 12 off two overs with five wickets in hand - then Mark Griffiths and myself went in consecutive balls.

“By the time I got my pads off we were nine down needing four off the last ball. “All the Sidmouth players were on the boundary except square leg - and guess were the ball went? Over square leg for four!

“Chris Smith hit the winning runs, just as he did the same last year when we needed three off the last ball in the same game.”

Bovey Tracey’s game away to Hatherleigh was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Bovey had hope to five a debut to new signing James Fulner in the game.

Fulner, formerly with Barton and Shaldon, has switched from Torquay where he was playing D Division West cricket in the second team.

Graham White found his scoring touch again for Exeter with a match-winning 61 not out in the five-wicket victory over Cornwood.

Former Devon all-rounder Dave Tall, now 2nd XI captain at Cornwood, made a top score of 29 in Cornwood’s all-out total of 132,

Harry Kumar steamed in for a four-wicket haul while Adam Smith picked up three.

Matt Butterworth (3-44) gave Exeter something to think about as they slipped to 97 for five. White was still there though and with Richard Nelsey (9no) for company knocked off the rest without further mishap.

Victory hoists Exeter into second place ahead of Sidmouth and within eight points of leaders Plymouth, who were turned over by seven wickets by North Devon,

Plymouth got to 52 for two thanks to Ben Ferero (22) and Harry Stephenson (23), then caved in to 95 all out.

Max Curtis did the damage with six for 38 while Sam Witheridge (3-26) mopped up at the other end.

Ollie Hunt (42) gave North Devon a flying start in reply. Charlie Hill, Jack Hughes and Harry Kandampully took a wicket each for Plymouth, before Warren Miller (11no) joined Richard Screech to knock off the remainder.

North Devon are at home to Cornwood this Saturday.

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