By OLLIE SMITH
NORTH Molton secured their first silverware since reforming as a club after they defeated Cornwood 3rd XI and Devon Medics & Cranbrook at the Tidball Insurance T20 Finals Day, held at Hatherleigh.
In the first semi-final of the day, North Molton faced Cornwood’s 3rd XI.
Batting first, 50 from Matthew Boundy and a steady 35not out from Alex Wilson-North helped the north Devon-based side to 161 for eight from their 20 overs. The Wood’s Andy Bees helped stifle the batting with two for 16, there was also two wickets for Aviral Srivastava (2- 29) too.
Despite slipping to 11 for three in the run chase, Louis Roberts doing the early damage, Srivastava (51) rebuilt with Joshua Wood (39). The pair put on 95 runs together before Roberts took his fourth and fifth wickets.
That was as good as it got for Cornwood, Srivastava and Wood were the only two batters to reach double figures, as Roberts, who finished with figures of seven for 12, took more wickets than seven Cornwood batters scored runs!
A 30-run win was secured as Cornwood ran out of time on 131 for eight.
In the other semi-final, Sanjay Panghal blitzed his way to 149 from 53 balls as Devon Medics & Cranbrook defeated Kenn by 125 runs. There was also 55 for Ashin Raja as the Kenn bowlers struggled to operate below 10 an over, with the exception of Hugh Stronge (1-37).
Chasing 265 was always going to be a tough ask for Kenn, made all the more difficult as they lost James Gosling on the first ball of the innings.
Kenn were never allowed to kick on, as wickets came in clusters for DM&C, who eventually bowled their opponents out for 139. Bala Mallavarapu (three for eight) and Jibin John (four for 20) did the majority of the damage.
DM&C batted first in the final, and Panghal again was intent on having fun again as he slammed 75 from 23 balls, taking his day’s total to 224 from 76 balls.
Support for him came in the form of 27 from opening partner Taimur Farid and 33 from Aditya Bhargude, there were also scored in the mid-teens for Dennis Joseph and Daniel Thomas as DM&C reached 201 for nine. Oly Brown was the best of the bowling with three for 39.
Needing 202 to win, Toby Lochead and Andrew Webber (17) put on 72 before the latter was out to Bala Mallavarapu.
Lochead then shared stands of 47 with Rob Ayre (20) and 54 Matthew Boundy (35) before he brought up his own century from just 41 balls. His knock included 15 fours and five sixes before he was dismissed by Yashwanth Gopi for 110. He left his side needing 29 from six overs.
Boundy and hero of the semi-final Louis Roberts (9no) saw North Molton home with two and a half overs remaining, Roberts hitting a four to secure a seven wicket win.
Lochead, who was standing in as captain for Lewis Hough, believed his side came into the day with no expectation thrust upon them.
“As it was our first finals day, we knew we had nothing to lose and that not many teams have come across North Molton after re-joining the league three years ago,” said Lochead
“Against Cornwood, Matt Boundy and Alex Wilson-North showed real quality and experience to get us to a competitive 160.
“Louis Roberts then took centre stage, with as good a spell as you’ll ever see in a semi-final. There were some excellent catches, backed up by disciplined bowling from everyone.”
Playing in the first semi-final gave North Molton a chance to scout out their potential opposition, something that Lochead utilised.
“Watching the other semi-final gave us some insight into what we would need to do when it came to the final. Sanjay Panghal played a remarkable innings for The Medics and we knew he was the dangerman.”
Lochead believes his trophy-winning knock has raised the profile of the club he joined last year from Premier Division Heathcoat.
“To score a match-winning century in the final felt fantastic, especially to lead North Molton to their first Devon League cup success. However, all 11 players contributed throughout the day and that's what made it so pleasing.
“Winning the cup certainly put North Molton on the map in Devon League cricket, hopefully we can finish it off over the next two weeks and win the league to continue an excellent few seasons for us.”
