CONRAD SUTCLIFFE AT OAK PARK
Scorecard
Semi-finals: Tavistock v Paignton | Exeter v Heathcoat
EXETER are halfway towards clinching the Devon double after beating Paignton by 46 runs to lift the Tiflex Twenty 20 Cup.
Part two of the task is winning the Tolchards Devon League Premier Division, where Exeter have a healthy 20-point lead over chasers Paignton as the last month of the season looms. Only Bradninch & Kentisbeare in the T20 era of the Devon Cup have done the double before.
Seb Linnitt, skippering Exeter in the absence of injured captain Jon Lewis-Oliver, belted 60 off just 27 balls as the city side went off at a rate of knots. He hit three fours and seven sixes before thew Medlock brothers teamed-up to get him out.
Linnitt and Oli Gribble (55) put on 107 in just eight overs while Paignton’s fielders were retrieving balls from adjoining postcodes. Cole Harford’s first over went for 26 during the carnage. He didn’t get a second.
Paignton slowed things down in the second ten, mainly due to seamers Charlie Ward and Jack Harman going for just six an over. Sam Woodcock (5.75) was a smidgen cheaper.
Paignton could not match Exeter’s explosive qualities with the bat and at 75 for four after 10 overs had a huge amount of catching-up to do. A double strike by Will Furniss – dangerman Aqa Gqamana (36) then Ward in the space of three balls – left Paignton 85 for six and out of contention.
Furniss finished with three for 25 in the match as Paignton meandered to 148 for nine. Harford top scored with 39.
Lewis-Oliver, who team managed Exeter due to the injury that prevented him playing, said it needed a complete performance in both disciplines to carry off the cup.
“We were very strong with the bat and with many options to turn to we were strong with the ball,” said Lewis-Oliver.
“Putting on the total like we did was fantastic against a good Paignton side. With Seb Linnitt and Oli Gribble cashing-in, we felt in a positive position.
“We knew that it couldn’t be taken for granted and that Paignton were going to come out fighting.
“However, with confidence in our bowling attack, we knew if we could restrain them in the power play, and take early wickets, it would be tough for them.
“Paignton have a lot of powerful hitters, so it’s never over, but I think by 15 overs we had the job mostly complete.”
Harry Ward, the Paignton captain, felt it might just have been a game too far too quickly for his side.
“I think the lads were pretty worn out by this stage,” said Ward.
“After playing the full 100 overs on Saturday against Bradninch & Kentisbeare, then a semi-final before having to lift ourselves again for the final, it was always going to be a big ask.
“Against a side like Exeter, if you’re even 10 per cent off, they’ll make you pay – and that’s exactly what happened.
“Dropping Oli Gribble first ball of the innings didn’t help. He and Seb batted superbly, putting the ball to all parts of the ground. They probably won the game in the first six overs.”
Ward said there was an understandable element of exhaustion on the team when the time came to bat, and it showed.
“The chase never really got going, and with the required rate close to 10-an-over from the start, it proved a step too far against an attack of Exeter’s quality,” said Ward.
“Full credit to Exeter: they thoroughly deserved the win. We wish them all the best at Bridgwater in the ECB knockout round.”
Paignton, who put out holders Exmouth in the last eight to reach finals day, disposed of Tavistock by five wickets in the lunchtime semi-final. Harry Ward (39) and Luke Medlock (35) were the main run-getters in the task of making 158 to win.
Exeter overcame Heathcoat by 18 runs in the other semi-final, having first racked-up 173 for seven. Linnitt batted from start to finish for 85 not out.
