Exmouth and Cornwood will put their Division One survival hopes on the line this weekend when the bottom two meet in a crucial Devon Women’s Cricket League clash.

Just four points separate the sides, with Exmouth fifth on 36 points and Cornwood bottom on 32, meaning Sunday’s encounter could have a significant bearing on the battle to remain in the top flight.

Neither side has tasted victory in the league this season. Exmouth have lost all seven of their matches, while Cornwood have six defeats from seven, with their other fixture abandoned.

Exmouth head into the game still searching for the performance that will turn the positives of their season into a first victory.

They will have to do so without captain Jasmyne Watson, who misses the game through injury.

Watson’s absence is a significant blow. She is Exmouth’s leading wicket-taker this season with 12 and has also made an important contribution with the bat, scoring 163 runs.

Sasha Gerrick will take over the captaincy in Watson’s absence.

“Obviously, it’s a big game with both teams battling to stay in the division,” said Watson.

“We’ve had lots of positives throughout the season and hopefully we can put in a strong performance and come away with our first win of the season.

“Unfortunately, I’m injured so I’ll be missing this week, with Sasha Gerrick captaining the side in my absence. Other than that, we’re at full strength and looking forward to the game. I’ll be cheering the girls on from the sidelines!”

For Cornwood, Sunday represents an opportunity to climb off the bottom and leapfrog their opponents with victory.

Runs have been difficult to come by, with Cornwood passing 150 just once this season, while their bowlers are yet to dismiss an opposition side completely.

But behind the results is a young squad which captain Helly Simpson believes is continuing to develop as the season progresses.

“Like Exmouth, we’ve got a predominantly young squad and we’ve been improving week on week, with our younger players learning fast,” said Simpson.

“We’re missing a couple at Boardmasters, probably like most clubs, but we’ll still be going out there to try and get the 20 points.”

Sunday’s fixture also renews a rivalry which has been dormant for eight years.

The last Devon Women’s League meeting between the clubs came in July 2018 and proved to be a one-sided affair. Exmouth were bundled out for just 56 before Cornwood knocked off the target for the loss of only one wicket.

Several members of that Cornwood side are still going strong, including former captain Gemma Lancaster, sisters Hannah and Laura Bale and ever-present wicketkeeper Sadie Goodliffe.

Lancaster (pictured), in particular, is showing there is plenty left in the tank. She has registered two half-centuries this season, with both coming in Cornwood’s last two matches, and is hitting form at exactly the right time as her side fight for Division One survival.

Eight years on from their last league meeting, the circumstances could hardly make Sunday’s reunion more important.

With only four points separating the bottom two and both still searching for their first win of the campaign, there is plenty riding on the outcome, with the winner putting themselves in pole position to retain their Division One status.

Match officials: Emma Gibson & Matt Petherbridge