Words: Simon Travers
Match Photos: Ivor Thomas
Saturday’s matches began with a minute’s pause to remember the passing this week of Bev Matthews and to celebrate her life and her contribution to Cornwood cricket. When the new pavilion opened, Bev was instrumental in the building of the club’s volunteer hospitality team. Her reputation for making delicious cricket teas stretched club and county-wide. She was generous and unflappable with a beaming smile; a cook whose food reflected the warmth in her heart. As the hospitality team was growing in confidence, Bev drew on her experience of working in a school kitchen to train others and solve problems. Bev’s immense contribution to the club is reflected in that she was twice named Club Person of the Year, in 2013 and 2016. Of course, more important than any of this is that Bev leaves behind a loving husband Dave, two children Mark and Nichola, their spouses Tim and Katie, and four loving grandchildren. She was immensely proud of all her family, who meant the absolute world to her. All of our hearts at Cornwood CC go out to all the family at this devastating time.
After last week’s DCL rain out, normal business was resumed around the county this weekend. The Ones travelled to the Fortfield for a one-sided clash with Sidmouth. The facts of the game are probably best recounted quickly. Electing to bat, the Ones struggled against both Sidmouth openers, Tom Hodgson (3 for 36) and Will Murray (3 for 41) and dropped to 69-5. Brisk innings from Chris Parker (31) and Naveen Fernando (40 from 39) enabled the team to reach a light but theoretically defendable total of 164. Sidmouth chased the total with ease as both Sam Elstone (66*) and Luke Beaufort (53* from 41) reinforced their claims to be considered in the top 3 batters in Devon with their 5th scores over 50. Sidmouth completed an eight-wicket victory with 20.1 overs spare.
It's been a tough July for the Ones but experienced Cornwood watchers have seen seasons like this before. If you look back over the past forty years, there are a few great seasons, some good ones, plenty of average seasons, and the odd stinker. As a rule of thumb, Cornwood’s bowling is a consistent strength and the Ones rise and subside on their batting. Having only broken 200 twice in league play, batting has yet to prove a strength this year. 2024’s season is maybe reminiscent of 2011, when after 2 seasons of building momentum towards promotion on the back of Aizaz Cheema’s test quality bowling, Andy Bees in his prime and Michael Wood’s consistency, the team dropped to finish seventh. The batting only broke 200 once that season and were fined penalty points, even though the team won more than they lost. In 2012, the Ones bounced back and earned their promotion. The Ones season is in glass half full / glass half empty territory. Good journeys, stories and cricket teams always have ups and downs. Here at The Sweep, with only 5 weekends left before the long stretch of Autumn and Winter, the plan is to stay resolutely glass half-full.
Elsewhere in the Premier, both Sandford and Bradninch & Kentisbeare struggled but Sandford regain top spot as they snuck past Plympton. Bradninch dropped their game against Heathcoat. Exeter slide into third after Bovey Tracey upset Exmouth. The Ones are exactly mid-table in fifth.
When the Twos travelled to Ashburton earlier in the year, it was a close-fought, tense affair. On their return trip to Oak Park, the visitors were without four key players and there was a clear gap in class between the teams. With Ashburton electing to bowl, a businesslike 37 from Max Finzel saw off the new ball. Sam Griffiths delivered 68 from 75 balls with authority and conviction. Shot of the day was arguably Sam’s fourth maximum, which sailed onto the pavilion roof to bring up his fifty.
Sam Griffiths reaches 50
There was a slight moment of concern when two quick wickets put the Twos on 153-7. From there, Stanley Baker and Harry Woolway put on 72 unbeaten to finish the innings on 215-7. The innings was something of a coming-of-age party for Stanley, hitting 41* from 46 while Harry rotated the strike for him. Stanley brought the entertainment with a series of cheeky ramp shots, but was more impressive moving down the wicket and driving with some force.
The game was finished in the first 15 overs of Ashburton’s innings as the Twos dominated in the field. Stanley Baker took the new ball, bowling spin, with Dan Skeemer moving it from the North end. Skeemer was unplayable and fully deserved a full slip cordon through his spell. Both Ashburton openers gave edges, one of which was sharply taken by Max Finzel at third. Stanley’s first wicket was a wonder catch at mid on from Jason Hall. Originally perhaps slightly out of position, Jason timed his jump perfectly to pluck a one handed grab. When Stanley bowled Jack Warren, agreeably nicknamed Dawlish by his team-mates, the visitors were 9-4. Harry Woolway took over from Stanley and didn’t let the pressure drop. Between the three bowlers, 81 out of 90 legal balls bowled in the first fifteen overs were dot balls or wickets.
Toby Pascoe dug in for Ashburton with an obdurate 35 from 82 balls. At the other end, Jacob Caunter earnt 3 LBW decisions from the Ashburton umpire to finish on 3 for 23. Jason Hall took another excellent caught and bowled chance to remove Pascoe, before Harry Woolway closed the innings with Ashburton on 104. Winning by a full Nelson, the Twos showed why they have earnt the most bowling points in C Division West this year. At the top of the table, Paignton 2XI lost their first of the year against Sandford 2XI and saw Ivybridge leap above them into the only promotion place.
It wasn’t the Threes’ day against Kingsbridge 2XI as they, by their standards, performed unevenly with the bat and in the field. Put in by their opponents, Finn Torley made 36 and Mike Hodge blasted 40 from 26 balls. Other members of the team found it harder going, particularly against opening bowler Mark Edmonds who took 3 for 24. The Cornwood innings closed on 188. That total did not look enough when John Hardy (41) and Farzad Safi (52) put on 111 for the second wicket in under 20 overs. The Threes worked hard to get back into the match, with Mike Hodge taking 3 for 48. They forced the game into the final over, but Dylan Weeks connected with a big swing for a three wicket victory. That’s the one that got away from the Threes. They are still top of the table, but wins for Bovey Tracey 3XI and Stokeinteignhead narrowed their lead.
It was an all-round heroic effort for the Fours against Plympton 3XI as they overcame rain, a damp Gunnislake pitch, and their opponents. Before rain interruptions, opening bowlers Ayaan Chatterjee and Neel Shivane made life tough for the Plympton batters. 34 from Paul Hamilton earnt the hosts 3 batting points as the Fours restricted them to 128-8 in 32 overs. Runs for Ewan Horner (27), Charles Knight (49) and Greg Thomas (32) made comfortable work of the chase as the Fours won by five wickets with four and a half overs spare. That win puts the Fours 15 points clear of relegation in G Division West, but there are challenges ahead in the next two weeks.
It was a tough week for both the Under 19s and Under 17s teams. On Friday, the Under 19s were over-powered in their match against Plymst**k. Matt Whalley showed his talent with a 27 ball 50 to start the innings, but the crucial partnership was between Olly Birleson and Beth Hall (32). They put on 77 for the fifth wicket to set a target of 159-7. The Under 19s did not get going with the bat, scoring 73 with 31 extras. Ben Whalley (3-14) and Charlie Feltham (3-4) took wickets at either end of the innings. On the night, Plymst**k were the better team in all areas.
The Under 17s team fought through (traffic) hell and high waters to try and get the game on with Plymouth on Monday night. The rain came literally seconds before first ball and the match had to be abandoned after 5 overs. On Sunday morning, a team weakened by availability took the long road to Lewdown. Lewdown’s target of 172-3 was too much for Cornwood to chase, led by a 52* from captain Matt Maynard. The Under 17s captain Josh Whiting hit a 50 in reply and the younger players fought hard to bat through the overs. Highlight of the match was Freddie Joynes’ committed dive into the crease on a tight single when the ball was 3 metres past the stumps. Freddie scored tens from all the judges and celebrated with a fist pump.
There was no match for the Women’s Firsts this Sunday as it was their league bye week. Elsewhere in the DWCL, Exeter are just 7 points short of being confirmed Division 1 champions with a win against North Devon. Cornwood’s Delamore softball team beat Plymst**k by 39 runs. Imogen Garland took 3 for 11, and Sarah Martin top scored with 22*. The win means that the Dels are only 2 points behind Buckland in the West division with a game in hand.
Next weekend, the Ones travel to the County Ground to play an Exeter team unbeaten in their last 5 matches. The Twos are at home to bottom of the table Plymouth 2XI. The Threes will look to reset against Stoke Gabriel 2XI on Delamore Park, and the Fours take the short hop to Manadon to face PCS&R 2XI. On Sunday, the Women’s Firsts also travel to Exeter, while there are Under 17s and Under 19s games through the week.
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