John Tolliday, who was man of the day in Exeter's 1981 Devon Cup final win

EXETER, having waved goodbye to the league championship 24 hours earlier, gained consolation by winning the Sylvester Sport Devon KO Cricket Cup at Plymouth, beating holders Paignton on the way to the final.

Former Torquay batsman Gary Wallen swung the semi-final Exeter’s way with an unbeaten 35 off 36 balls.Gary Wallen

Chasing Paignton’s 109 for eight, Exeter had just six balls to spare when Wallen and opener John Tolliday (43no) carried them to an eight-wicket victory. Paignton’s top scorer had been Jeff Tolchard with 29.

In the other semi-final Plymstock had scraped past Tavistock by eight runs in a low-scoring match.

Bowled out for 82 on their own ground, Plymstock then dismissed Tavistock for only 74.

Exeter’s batting power was irresistible in the final at Peverell Park. Plymstock’s target of 111 for seven was no problem as Tolliday (48no) and Alan Melhuish (49no) led them to a nine-wicket win with two of their 18 eight-ball overs to spare.

Individual awards went to Tolliday (batting), Melhuish (batting and fielding) and Exeter’s Keith Dunk (bowling).

The trophies were presented by Paignton’s Mrs Mary Whitburn, widow of the late Devon secretary Bob Whitburn.

August 30, 1981