EXETER U19s did the hard work in the semi-final en-route to a crushing seven-wicket win over Hatherleigh in the final of the Devon Club U19 T20 tournament.

Budleigh Salterton, the 2018 county winners, hosted the three-game finals day that opened with Exeter having to work hard to beat Abbotskerswell.

Elliott Adams bagged three of the wickets to fall as Exeter dipped to 29 for four in the first semi-final.

A stand of 60 between James Bovey (50ret) and Toby Jones (25) got Exeter moving and with Finlay (13) and Tynan Hill (11no) harrying at the end the city side posted 128 for nine.

Abbots were up around the asking rate until five overs out when they started to struggle against Exeter captain James Bovey’s bowling.

Sam Carpenter (21), Johnny Joseph (18) and already gone but skipper Adams (12) was still there but not for long.

Forty-four to win off seven overs with six wickets in hand became 33 with two to go and seven wickets down as Tynan Hill (2-12), Bovey (1-10) and Jones (1-18) pinned Abbots down.

Exeter won by 24 runs to set up an appointment with Hatherleigh in the final.

Hatherleigh’s win over Cornwood in the second semi-final was an altogether different affair.

Cornwood were held to 97 for six – Harry Fitzpatrick top scoring on 20 – which Hatherleigh lost eight wickets chasing down. 

Ryan Quick had most of Hatherleigh’s runs in a running total of 67 for seven. Charlie Presswell (20no) saw Hatherleigh home.

While Hatherleigh were beating Cornwood to reach the final, Bovey and his team were having an invigorating dip in the sea – and the saltwater treatment seemed to work!

Matt Wood (2-12) flattened Hatherleigh dangerman Eddie Jones’ off-stump first ball of the innings.

In his next over a stunning catch was taken by Callum Hogan then a brilliant run out from Jones reduced the opposition to 15 for 3 off six overs

Skipper Bovey then went against normal practice and bowled both openers out with four overs each.

When Wood and Tynan had (0-1) finished their spells, Hatherleigh were struggling at 21 for four off eight overs. 

 With Jones (1-17) keeping it tight the target was 90 to win.

Once Exeter opener Kian Burns smashed 31 off 16 balls the result was never in doubt.

After Jamie Khan added 17. Charlie Fanous (15no) and Bovey (14no) took Exeter to victory with nine overs to spare.

Exeter 128-9 (J Bovey 50ret, T Jones 25; E Adams 3-19, D Cowdry 2-17), Abbotskerswell 102-7 (S Carpenter 21, J Joseph 18, D Hayes 2-15, T Hill 2-12). Exeter bt Abbotskerswell by 24 runs. Full scorecard

Cornwood 97-6 (J Fitzpatrick 20, N Tracey 15; H Arden 2-3), Hatherleigh 100-8 (R Quick 25, C Presswell 20no; D Skeemer 3-19, M Lott 2-17). Hatherleigh bt Cornwood by 2 wkts. Full scorecard

Hatherleigh 89-8 (J Presswell 20, H Sharp 16; M Wood 2-12), Exeter 91-3 (K Burns 31, J Khan 17, C Fanous 15no; H Arden 2-29). Exeter bt Hatherleigh by 7 wkts. Full scorecard