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The victorious Dartington & Totnes team

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 2007

DARTINGTON & Totnes made up for the double disappointment of missing out on promotion by a whisker, and losing in the Aaron Printers Narracott Cup final, by beating Hatherleigh by 24 runs in yesterday's Corinthian Cup final at Bovey Tracey.

   Darts' skipper Harold Stevenson must have wondered if he was ever going to get his hands on some silverware this season – and the broad grin he sported when collecting the cup from league chairman David Gambie said it all.

   D&T, who put Feniton out in the morning semi-final at Bovey, posted 124 for seven in their 18 six-ball overs – Mike Jarvis hitting 30 not out to galvanise an innings that had slowed from 48 for two to 67 for five.

   Hatherleigh, morning conquerors of Brixham in the other semi-final at South Devon CC, fell behind the clock early on, never really recovered from being 20 for four and finished up on 100 for eight when their overs ran out.

   They key innings for D&T were those made by Tom Williamson (21), Ryan Stevenson (24) and Jarvis. They wobbled after Mark Lake (3-17) bowled Williamson, but recovered as Ryan Stevenson then Jarvis pushed the score along.

   Hatherleigh, who had chased far more and got them with time to spare in the morning semi-final against Brixham, ran into early trouble against Williamson (4-17), who had three of the first four wickets to fall. Matt Hickey had the other.

   Darryl Barnes made a quick 31 and briefly Hatherleigh were back in the game. Williamson had Barnes caught behind at 49 for five and that was game over, although not too many people realised it at the time.

   Ryan Stevenson (4-0-16-2) turned the screw even further and by the time Dean Rice (13) and Lake (24) swung the bat at the end the result was already decided.

   Williamson was named man of the match by adjudicator Paul Smith. Although no one could really argue with him, Ryan Stevenson had a claim to press for runs and wickets at the right times.

   If the award was given on the day's efforts then Ryan Stevenson would have won it hands down for his 45 not out off 36 balls that swung the semi-final clash with Feniton.

   Feniton went off like a train – Dave Haysom (41) and Stuart Bright (28) hammering 58 for the first wicket – but only Jonny Pyle (23) made much headway as the East Devon side slowed to 128 for eight.

   Bertus Loots (12), Scott Stevenson (13) and Williamson (18) laid the foundations of the D&T run chase, to which Ryan Stevenson applied the finishing touches.

   Hatherleigh sprung a shock in the morning semi-final against Brixham with a two-wicket win over a side that will be playing four divisions above them in the league next season.

   Brixham had Andy Pugh, who hit 10 fours and a six in a 50-ball knock of 65, and Richard Ward to thank for the bulk of their 140 for eight.

   Pugh and Ward (30) put on 91 for the second wicket, but only Matt Caunter (12) made double figures after that.

   Hatherleigh's prospects didn't look good at 13 for three – Mark Orchard (3-29) among the wickets – but improved while Sean Forrester was making 34 off 31 balls.

   Richard Tidball won the match for Hatherleigh with his 39 not out that knocked off the target with exactly an over to spare.

SEMI-FINALS

   Brixham 140-8 (A Pugh 65, R Ward 30; S Gillespie 3-20, M Lake 2-27), Hatherleigh 141-8 (R Tidball 39no, S Forrester 34; P Heath 2-33, M Orchard 3-29). Hatherleigh bt Brixham by 2 wkts.

   Feniton 128-8 (D Haysom 41, S Bright 28, J Pyle 23; S Stevenson 2-15, K Veale 2-20), Dartington & Totnes 129-7 (R Stevenson 45, T Williamson 18; J Pyle 2-13, S Bright 2-27). Dartington & Totnes bt Feniton by 3 wkts.

FINAL

   Dartington & Totnes 124-7 (T Williamson 21, R Stevenson 24, M Jarvis 30no; M Lake 3-27), Hatherleigh 100-8 (D Barnes 31, M Lake 24; T Williamson 4-17, R Stevenson 2-16). Dartington & Totnes bt Hatherleigh by 24 runs.