CORNWOOD dropped down to third in the Tolchards DCL Premier Division table following a 13-run defeat in a rain-affected game against Sidmouth.
Sidmouth were all out for 211 in the last of their 50 overs – in-form opener Sam Elstone anchoring the first half of the total with 67.
Cornwood were on 192 for nine after 38 overs but bad light and Duckworth-Lewis were not on their side.
Sidmouth captain Luke Bess said: “It was a big toss to lose at a difficult place to play where we batted against a dry, hard ball on a fresh green wicket, then bowled with a soaking wet ball in the rain for a large portion of the second innings.
Jamie Baird put on a stand of 64 for the eighth wicket alongside Scott Barlow (28no) and this proved decisive in the final totting-up, his captain praising him for the effort.
“Jamie deserves a special mention for getting us up to a competitive total.”
Staddon (4-20) did most of the damage and then Ben Privett (4-45) claimed three wickets in four balls to end Sidmouth’s innings, with Finzel and Privett (35) then giving Cornwood a 55-run start.
Losing three wickets in four deliveries on 99 to Ben Way – Sri Lankan pro-Naveen Fernando among them – put a different complexion on the game, which wasn’t improved by Way knocking over Staddon and Thompson in successive balls.
Way had taken five Cornwood wickets for three runs scored in 14 balls as the home side dipped to 113 for seven. No wonder Bess said his spell ‘changed the game’.
As long as Finzel remained Cornwood had a chance, but umpires Pitman and Walker took the teams off at 7.20pm as deteriorating light had made conditions unsafe.
Elliott Staddon, the Cornwood captain, cut an optimistic figure, “In areas we were excellent and there were some really positive performances from players, so lots to take moving into the coming weeks.”
Cornwood 2nd XI were also in action, knocking Ashburton off the top of the C West table by inflicting a 14-run defeat on them around the showers.
Ashburton’s edge at 111-3 fell by the wayside as they were bowled out for 171.
Robin Dart, the Cornwood captain, said to win the way they did was quite an achievement.
“It looked like we would lose the game after coming off for rain as Ashburton were 111 for three and ahead on run rate, so to go back out and take seven for 60 with a slippery, wet ball was awesome.”
Cornwood got to 87 for one with Dart (31) and Chris Parker (30) leading the way, then went into limp-along mode as four wickets fell for one run scored!
After further concerns, the end of the order were able to inspire the Wood to a hard-fought victory.
