MATT Skeemer could not put a foot wrong for Cornwood 1st XI in their three-wicket Premier Division win at Bovey Tracey.

Skeemer’s first act was taking five Bovey wickets for 39 runs as the Premier Division strugglers were held to 184 for nine.

Skeemer then opened the batting as Cornwood set off in pursuit and he lashed 71 off 50 balls – eight fours, two sixes – to take the chase to 116 for three.

Victory keeps Cornwood (147pts) third in the table behind deposed leaders Sandford (168) and new table-toppers Bradninch & Kentisbeare (176).

After Musa Twala (32) gave Bovey a solid start, the bulk of their runs came in the middle order from Lewis Hammett (48), Ed Foreman (43) and Tom Andrew (22).

Devon Cricket League Premier Division West. Bovey Tracey versus Cornwood. Bovey's Musa Twala lets fly while Cornwood's Elliott Staddon watches and waits
(Steve Pope/MDA)

Once Andrew went the final three wickets tumbled for 15 runs.

Naveen Fernando, James Richardson, Ben Privett and Elliott Staddon took a wicket each for Cornwood.

Skeemer’s demise was the first of three wickets to fall in quick succession as Cornwood hesitated to 122 for six. Chris Yabsley (2-40) and Ollie Clifford-Bourne (3-26).

Skipper Staddon (38no) took Cornwood the rest of the way and heaped the praise upon Skeemer afterwards.

“It was nice to get a win from what was a tricky chase,” said Staddon.

“Matt Skeemer, who arrived home from a work trip in the early hours of Saturday morning, rocked up and was absolute standout for us with bat and ball.”

Devon Cricket League Premier Division West. Bovey Tracey versus Cornwood. Cornwood's George Thompson in agony at the crease after popping his kneecap out (and back in) again. Thompson would retire from the game not out.
(Steve Pope/MDA)

Cornwood 2nd XI meanwhile did not hang about on the way to an eight-wicket win over Kingsbridge.

Kingsbridge were bowled out for 139 in the 40th over, which represented quite a recovery from 59-5.

Adriaan (corr) Maxwell hung around to make 46 off 59 balls and Bhanu de Silva shored up an end for 27 not out from 67 deliveries to get something defendable on the board. Cornwood gave away 27 extras too.

Left-armer Lee Baker was Kingsbridge’s demolition man with five wickets for 17 runs in 8.5 overs alongside Adam Goodliffe (2-26).

Cornwood openers Josh Goodliffe (43) and Robin Dart (34) wiped out the first 85 required. Both departed five runs apart. Chris Parker smashed 49 not out from 25 balls – five sixes, four fours – to get the game won before the end of the 18th over.

Captain Dart, said bowling out Kingsbridge was not as easy as the scorebook might suggest.

“Kingsbridge dug in well after a flurry of early wickets, and on a decent track, we had to work hard to bowl them out,” said Dart.

“I have been really happy with our efforts with the ball this season and we bowled patiently again.”