EXMOUTH’S hopes of a run to finals day in the Vitality ECB National Club T20 competition were shattered when they lost by seven wickets to Penzance in the West play-offs on the Maer.
The Cornish champions were asked to improve on Exmouth’s modest total of 123 for five – and did so with six overs to go.
Exmouth skipper Bob Dawson, who top scored for his side with 39, said a woeful start with the bat made it difficult to post a meaningful total.
“Two, three and four got virtually nothing between them and that left us a lot to do,” said Dawson.
“Sandy Allen (29) had a go and for a while when I was batting with Andy Buzza (36) I thought we might make 140.
“That still wasn’t really enough in the conditions – the outfield was like lightning – but you hope you may take early wickets and unsettle them.
“We did have them 23 for two in the fourth over and another wicket then might have made it interesting.
“Tom Sturgess (ex-Heathcoat) batted superbly for them for his 66 and by the time we got him out they only needed 27 and were not going to lose it from there.”
Port Talbot, who included former Exmouth batter Barney Huxtable in their side, lost to Bristol in the other semi-final. Penzance beat Bristol by 79 runs in the final and will represent the West in the Southern final.