SPINNER Jamie Pooley conjured up a wicket in ‘extra time' as Bovey Tracey and Cornwood tied in a low-scoring game.
Cornwood appeared to have done the hard bit by bowling Bovey out for 134 with 10 overs to spare – overs that were tacked on to the end of their own innings.
In the third of those overs Cornwood were down to their last pair at the wicket with one run needed for victory when tail-ender Francis Adams left a delivery from Pooley that bowled him.
Cornwood skipper Phil Bees would have a taken a tie when his side was 68 for eight, but was still disappointed not to get the win having got so close.
Richard Conn batted through from the third ball of the innings to finish on 72 not out, but other than a 62-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Chris Anderson (16), no-one stayed long enough to support him.
Mason (3-28), Joe Pringle and Pooley (3-25) had three wickets each for Bovey.
Earlier, Bovey had laboured to 134 with James Mason (45) and Jeremy Parr (41) the main contributors. Chris Anderson sent down 13.5 overs returning figures of five for 49.
Torquay's game against Abbotskerswell, due to be played at Stokeinteignhead as the Recreation Ground was out of action due to drainage work, was cancelled.
It might have been a tie, but Cornwood skipper Phil Bees felt his side could claim a moral victory as Mason and Pooley were both picked for the first team game at Oak Park that was called off due to waterlogging.
“Whilst Bovey were within the rules, it wasn't in keeping with the spirit of cricket and we would have won comfortably without their contributions, as Mason also top scored with 45 in the Bovey innings,” said Bees.
IT was definitely a family affair for Shobrooke Park in their comfortable seven-wicket win over Sidmouth IIIs.
Veteran spinner Graham Darke claimed four for 23, and Mark Goodman bagged two for 28, as Sidmouth were held to a modes 128 for nine. Bob Macy (41) and Mike Dible (28) were the only batters to make much headway.
Then Gavin Darke, Graham's nephew who is a new signing from Countess Wear, was among the runs as Shobrooke cruised to their second successive win.
Skipper Pete Turner top scored with 42 for Shobrooke as he, Matt Kirk (39no) and Gavin Darke (31no), led the successful run chase.
BUDLEIGH Salterton made it played two and won them both in the A Division 2nd XI competition with a three-wicket victory at Seaton.
Budleigh captain Ian Taylor knew winning the toss was vital on a wet day and a green wicket and, fortunately, called correctly and opted to bowl first.
Paul Heys claimed the prized scalp of Aussie Kim Minolas for four – 115 fewer than he made the previous Saturday against Sidmouth – thanks to slip catch by Rob Newing.
Removing Minolas was a mixed blessing though as it brought former Warwickshire U19 all-rounder Raul East into the middle and he isn't known for hanging about!
East, a 1st XI player drafted in when their game was called of, went for his shots from the off and by the half-way stage was well on his way to a half-century.
Greg Marks and Max Newing slowed Seaton down, which was just as well as Taylor didn't fancy chasing anything over 150 on a drying wicket.
Murrin's return to the attack yielded an early dividend when he bowled East for 55. Heys (4-35), Murrin (2-35), Newing and Marks all bowled tightly in the latter stages to restrict Seaton to 154 for eight.
Budleigh started their reply brightly with Taylor and Newing working the ball around.
When Taylor (15) went caught behind on 35, Ben Carter replaced him and decided the best form of defence was attack!
When Newing (24) fell to a catch at mid-off, skipper Taylor sent in Murrin (17) to steady the ship and the ploy worked as he and Carter (35) took the tally past 100.
Budleigh could have done without losing Carter and Murrin close together as a mini collapse followed with Rob Newing, Mark Hammett and Jamie Wyman all going cheaply.
With 30 needed and three wickets in hand it fell to Marks to sort things out, which he did by smashing 29 not out including a six to finish the match.
Bowling wise Budleigh were up to scratch, although the out cricket could have been better.
Taylor said later the partnership between Carter and Murrin was pivotal and it was handy having an experienced player like Marks shoring things up at No.8.
“It's been a good start so far, but with Torquay and Cornwood coming up we need to play to our full potential to continue getting results,” said Taylor.