Devon Cricket League
1st XI A division
Cornwood 83-7,
Brixham 81 all out;
Cornwood (17 points) beat Brixham (three) by three wickets
CORNWOOD bounced back from the frustration of their narrow Devon Cup final defeat in fine fashion by leapfrogging leaders Brixham to the A Division title on the last day of the season.
Long-time leaders Brixham and second-placed Cornwood already had their promotion guaranteed going into the final round of matches.
And with only a five-point gap between the two, Cornwood knew a win at Boundary Park would be enough to secure them the title.
Cornwood’s bowling has been excellent all season and in this crucial match it was again, with Adam Goodliffe (2-30), Craig James (5-29) and Matt Skeemer (2-17) excelling as Brixham disastrously lost five wickets with the score on 11.
Kiwi James removed dangermen Stuart Edgar and Andy Pugh for five between them, while the free-scoring South African Matt McGillivray was out for an eight-ball duck to Goodliffe.
Mark Orchard top scored with 29 and Joel Ashworth had 15.
Cornwood, in their turn, struggled against McGillivray (5-18) and were wobbling at 65-7, Skeemer making a valuable 26.
Once again this season, though, the cool head of Elliot Staddon made 24 not out off 20 balls to lead Cornwood home.
Skipper Jason Hall always wanted to get back in the Premier Division at the first attempt, so it was mission accomplished.
He said: ‘It has been an outstanding season and one which all the club players and members should be proud of.
‘Despite a low-scoring game, it was still a competitive affair. On a wicket obviously hampered by the weather we knew we had to put the ball in the right areas. Craig James bowled an outstanding 10-over spell, which he has done in recent weeks, and on this occasion he got his just rewards for all his hard work.
‘We knew if we batted sensibly, straight bat and patient, we would get over the line. Brixham bowled fantastically well, but everyone chipped in with Staddon, fittingly seeing us home.’
He added: ‘The club is in good hands for the future. I am particularly glad Craig Harris has had a full season. He is a senior figure now and a luxury for us at seven and able to bowl important overs.
‘Craig will be huge for this club.’
Hall said the influence of pro Jackson Thompson and James had been first rate.
‘Their efforts on and off the field, and in the changing rooms, cannot be under estimated,’ said Hall.
‘I am incredibly thankful to both of them and how they have conducted themselves. The club will be forever grateful to them both.’
Hall had one more set of tributes to pay, which was to the supporters and members of the club.
‘They have been outstanding in their efforts to improve this wonderful club.
‘Without them the club wouldn’t be where it is today and the players are all thankful.
‘Throughout the season we have had a tremendous following of supporters.
‘To them we say thank you and Saturday was specifically for them.’