Billy Gibson, who bowled an economical spell for Plymstock against Ottery | Photo: Phil Mingo<br>credit: https://www.ppauk.com/photo/2130507/

KARL Vendrasco clubbed a brisk half-century to speed Plymstock to a six-wicket win over Ottery St Mary and into Corinthian Cup finals day on Sunday.

Ottery skipper Will Harrison chose to bat first and his side posted 146 for nine in their 20 overs.

Opener Ollie West made 32 and Harsha Liyanage had 36 off 28 balls. Harrison’s 19 not out at the end helped compensate for some slow-going overs while Billy Gibson (2-28) and Ian Whalley (4-0-16-2) were operating.

Plymstock were 21 for two with both openers out after early wickets for Ottery’s Joe Birch (2-34) and found Harrison (4-0-23-1) in particular hard to get away.

Vendrasco (51) and Charlie O’Higgins (14) put on 71 for the third wicket then fell in the space of six balls.

Mike Blackmore (20no) and Teddy Richards (20no) put on 51 unbroken to win the game with more than four overs in hand.

Plymstock against Ottery was the last of the four quarter-finals to be played and the winners join Sampford Peverell & Tiverton, Sidmouth and Alphington at Bovey Tracey this Sunday for finals day in the Ivor Dewdney’s-sponsored competition.

Alphington take on Sampford Peverell & Tiverton in the first semi-final on Sunday. Start time is 10am.

Matt Taylor, who made a hundred in an earlier round, is free of football commitment and will play and captain the side. Also available to strengthen the side are Stuart Shaw, Mark Halse and Tom Bath.

Will Pring, the team’s player-manager, said: “Generally, we are as strong as we can be, although a few will be a touch rusty.

“We go with low expectations but high hopes!”

Plymstock have been drawn against Sidmouth 2nd XI in the second semi, which is scheduled for a 1pm start.

Although Sidmouth play in the division below Plymstock, they have only lost five games in the past two seasons.

“Sidmouth 2nd XI are a strong side and have done very well,” said Plymstock vice-captain James Nicholls.

“We have a strong side going up to Bovey so it should be a fun and competitive game of cricket.”

Sidmouth will stick close to the side that has reached finals day, although there are a couple of enforced changes.

Jash Patidar and Bryon Knowles are on family holiday so Dylan Hurst and Tom Clay are promoted from the 3rdXI.

The final will get under way at 4pm.

Sunday, August 25 has been booked as a reserve day in case bad weather intervenes at Bovey Tracey.