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SKIPPER Mark Ashworth clubbed two sixes in the penultimate over to see Paignton 3 rd XI to a four-wicket win over holders Brixham 2 nd XI in Friday night's Brockman Cup final at Torquay.

   A nail-biting finish hardly looked on the cards after Brixham had laboured to 95 five in the last of their 20 six- ball overs.

   Paignton found runs almost as hard to come by on a perfect Torquay batting wicket and a target of 30 to win from the last five overs looked somewhat steep based on the run-rate to date.

   Ashworth and brother Andy (11no) came up trumps to see Paignton to their first win in the final since they defeated Lustleigh by eight wickets back in 1994.

   Brixham struggled at first as openers Chris Sleep and Andy Hawkes got themselves out to poor shots that gave Neil Collings two early wickets.

   Chris Johnson (17) and skipper Wes Fowler (27) could only score slowly as Andy Wakeham – four overs for 10 runs – Matt Williams and Keith Benton all sent down miserly spells.

   Paul Heath (16no) attempted to up the tempo, but it was a struggle.

   Paignton got just the start they didn't want when opener Liam Talbot gifted Fowler a wicket by slogging the ball up in the air for Barron to take the catch.

   Matt Taylor and Aaron Hearn got behind the clock and at 42 for three approaching halfway Paignton had some catching up to do.

   Mark Griffiths and Colin Knight repaired some of the damage in a stand of 23 that ended when Barron had Knight stumped for 12.

   Griffiths was staring to motor now, but one big hit too many saw him caught out at mid-wicket by Simon Caunter for 37. It was an important knock in the context of the game and won Griffiths the man of the match award,

   Benton came and went for two, which left the brothers Ashworth to steer Paignton home.

   Caunter was the hapless bowler hit for six twice in a row as Paignton won the game with eight balls to spare.

   Paignton will be going for the evening cricket double this Thursday night when the 2 nd XI face Stoke Gabriel in the final of the Aaron Printers Narracott Cup. The game is being played at Paignton with a 6pm start.

  

   Brixham 95-5 (W Fowler 27, C Johnson 17, P Heath 16; N Collings 2-21), Paignton 98-5 (M Griffiths 37, M Ashworth 16no; M Barron 3-16). Paignton bt Brixham by 5 wkts.