CAN Cullompton go all the way this time in the Ivor Dewdneys’ Corinthian Cup after their near miss in the Servicemaster Devon T20 Cup?
The B Division outsiders went all the way to finals day in the Servicemaster-sponsored competition, only to bow out against Premier Division North Devon in the semis.
Cullompton, who were defeated finalists last season when Seaton carried off the cup, are aiming to go one better at North Devon CC today.
“The lads can't wait,” said Cullompton skipper Brendon Parr whose side are due to face Upottery in the morning semi-final.
“Twenty20 cricket has always been a format we have had lots of success in.
“Reaching the Devon Twenty20 finals day gave us lots of confidence going this finals day.
“Scoring more than 200 three times already in this format this year, we are not frightened to be chasing down big totals.
“We have a team based around big hitters, its all about them going out there expressing themselves, playing their normal game and having fun
“I know a little bit about the Upottery lads from past years and Last Man Standing cricket, it's a format those guys are familiar with.
“Upottery also have some dangerous hitter that we would like to see the back of early! Should be a great game!
Mark Joyce, the Upottery captain, has had team-raising issues due to the finals being played over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“But we have got 11 who will give it there all and represent the club.
“Were looking forward to facing cully who are couple of divisions above and up for the challenge.”
Holders Seaton play Barton in the second semi-final.
Barton will be without skipper Adam Parker, currently on holiday, but are otherwise at full strength. Stuart Bowker will lead the side in Parker’s absence.
Bowker was at the helm when Barton won the Aaron Printers Cup in July and also the Torbay Dick Lear Cup. The team is in good hands.
Seaton skipper Ben Morgan has also had issues getting a side out due to the Bank Holiday break – and the distance from one Devon coastline to the other hasn’t helped.
“It is rather strange that we have two sides from East Devon (Seaton and Upottery), one from Mid Devon (Cullompton) and one from South Devon (Barton) all travelling up to North Devon,” said Morgan.
“Surely it would have made more sense for the finals to be played at a ground nearer to the four competing clubs?”
“No one from anywhere near North Devon CC actually enters the Corinthian Cup, so there was never going to be a local team in it and whoever was in the final faced a long journey.”
Match times are Cullompton v Upottery (10am), Seaton v Barton (2pm), final at 4pm.
If the weather intervenes – the forecast is not promising – the replay date is Saturday, September 8.
