HAS there ever been a game like the one between Cullompton and Sandford in the Servicemaster Devon Twenty20 Cup? Probably not!
You have to go some to score 200-plus in 20 overs so Premier side Sandford’s 241 for six looked a pretty impressive total.
That was before Cullompton’s captain for the night Brendon Parr belted 134 off just 51 balls – to make a chase of it.
Cully, who are in the B Division relegation places at the moment, needed 42 to win when Parr was caught on the boundary, which they made with an over to spare.
Richard Foan, Sandford’s shell-shocked captain, said Parr was the difference between the two teams.
“That is the difference in T20: one player can win the game,” said Foan.
“I felt we had a good score, although it is a very small ground.
“Brendon hit the ball harder then I think I have ever seen.
“It didn't matter who bowled or where you bowled… it was going!
“Fair play to Cullompton. We wish them every luck on finals day.”
Neil Bettis top scored for Sandford with 63 and featured in key stands of 64 with Ryan Glass (35) and 67 with Shaun Hawkins (54).
Bettis hit seven fours and three sixes from just 33 balls faced before he was fourth out on 180. Had he seen a bit more of the strike there might have been a different outcome.
Cullompton lost Alex Clist early to Jamie Palmer, which brought Brendon Parr out to bat with opener Darren Paul.
A stand of 186 for the second wicket put Cullompton on top of the chase and left Sandford skipper Foan scratching his head for answers.
Parr clubbed 10 fours and 13 sixes – one of which left a ball-shaped hole in a sightscreen.
Paul was second out for 63, scored off 34 balls with eight fours and two sixes.
Jason Parr (29no) and Tom Mortiboys steered Cullompton home.
Cullompton are the first team to qualify for finals day at Budleigh on July 15.
Exmouth and Sidmouth – both previous winners of the competition - meet on Monday night on the Maer Ground (6pm) in their quarter-final. All usual match-day facilities will be available.
Thursday night is quarter-final night for Plymouth and Cornwood at Mount Wise.
The fourth quarter-final is between North Devon and Bradninch, which will be played at Instow on Sunday, July 8 with an 11am start.
