Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth win Devon Cup on run rate

Sidmouth win Devon Cup on run rate

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

SIDMOUTH took the consolation prize of the Devon KO Cup when they defeated Plymouth on run rate in a rain-ruined final at Bovey Tracey.

It looked like classic cup final stuff as Sidmouth recovered from a wobbly 43 for five to make 156 for nine in their 40 overs.

Plymouth then crashed to 17 for five in reply and at that point were struggling to stay in the game.

Then it bucketed down with rain and with no signs of a let up in the weather out came the rule book.

Run rate can be used to decide a winner providing both sides have batted for10 overs. Unluckily for Plymouth they were four balls into the 11^th over when play was halted.

It wasn’t s how Sidmouth wanted to win the cup, but the odds on Plymouth winning from 17 for five were remote.

“Plymouth are a side who always have a lot to say for themselves – but they excelled themselves in this game trying to knockus off our game plan,” said Sidmouth skipper Will Murray (pictured).

“That’s fine if they want to play it that way, but they weren’t so chirpy when we had them 17 for five.

‘Once we got Doug Hewitt out they were not going to win it. The shame for us was we were not able to keep bowling at them to get them all out for under a hundred.”

“Second in the Premier Division and Devon Cup winners: that’s not a bad season I would say.”

Plymouth left-armer Dave Burke was named man of the match for his five-wicket haul, which had Sidmouth reeling at the start.

Sidmouth were rescued by knocks of 32 from Ben Gledhill, 20 by Jamie Wardrop and 26 from Matt Cooke.

When Plymouth batted their top order was shot away by Will Murray (2-7) and Will Gater (2-4).

The champagne moment of the match was Neil Hancock’s blinding catch in the slips off Murray to dismiss George Stephenson.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773