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PREMIER 2nd XI - JUNE 9, 2007

ROBIN Wass and Shane Evenden both hit centuries as Exeter and Sandford fought out a high-scoring draw at Creedy Park.

   Aussie big-hitter Wass smote 13 fours and a six on his way to 102 in Exeter's total of 281 for five declared. Along the way there was a stand of 121 for the second wicket with Ollie Rimmer (61).

   Alvin Pollard chipped in with 64 not out before Exeter skipper Pat Steward decided he had enough on the board and declared nine overs early.

   Sandford had nothing to lose by going for the runs so Evenden and Bob Eames went for them in a big way by posting 192 for the first wicket.

   Eames was out first for 56 then Evenden fell for 112 as Sandford went into a sharp decline from 192 without loss to 242 for nine.

   Pollard picked up four for 61 while Christian Bostock finished with two for 69.

   Most teams would have shut up shop at that stage and blocked out quietly for a draw. Not   Sandford.

   Super veteran Stuart Lott, who was playing for Torquay back in 1964 and is still going strong, kept on going with last-wicket partner Pete Steer (16no) chasing the 40 needed to win.

   They needed 16 off the last two overs and nine from the final one and only then were the shutters pulled down and a draw accepted at 274 for nine.

   Exmouth's patchy form continued with a disappointing eight-wicket defeat by Premier leaders Plympton..

   Losing opener Roger Wensley in the first over of the match set the tone as far as Exmouth were concerned. Take out a stand of 62 between Mark Woodman (43) and Mark Davies (14) and there wasn't much from the rest in an all-out total of 112. Tony Brown (5-7) and Matt Gregory (4-35) did the damage.

   Plympton needed just 19 overs to knock off the runs, Lee Mundell (30no)   and Duncan Hefford (25no) finishing what Dave Walter (31) and Neil Tremayne (22) had started.

   South Devon seamer Adam Richards bagged six wickets for 43 runs and still ended up on the losing side when previously winless North Devon visited Marsh Road.

   Richards and Dave Spicer (2-12) were in devastating form for South Devon, who looked on course for a win in for the first time in three starts after dismissing North Devon for 121.

   Gary Chatham made 20 for North Devon who had 42 extras to thank for bolstering their total no end.

   It was just too good to be true though as South Devon slumped to 75 for six once Neil Mathews (23), Brian Allen (20) and Spicer (18) were dismissed. There was no pulling out of the nosedive either as Chatham (3-21), veteran Dave Smale (2-14), Rodway (2-15) and Tom Cook (2-14) bundled South Devon out for 121.

   South Devon skipper Dave Amery was less than impressed by his side's batting display.

   “Too many rash shots from too many players who have the experience to know better,” said Amery.

   Second-placed Sidmouth were always favourites against lowly Barton and were seldom overworked in a six-wicket win.

   Tom Whittle pressed his claims for a first-team recall with 73 in Barton's total of 160 for nine. Charlie Dibble (3-41) and Miles Dalton (2-17) made runs hard to come by, but Tom Field (21) and Jim Parker (20) picked them up where they could.

   Barton got the start they wanted when Dave Cadwallader (2-49) removed Sidmouth opener James Macey in the first over. Mike Lievesley, who bowled 15 overs for 30 runs, kept it tight.

   Sidmouth didn't have to rush though and identical stands of 70 between Saj Patidar (55no) and Sam Richardson (30), and Patidar and Fraser Hanson (54no) broke the back of the chase.

   Paignton pressed Plymouth all the way at Queens Park before going down by two wickets.

   Skipper Jason Woodcock held it all together for Paignton with a knock of 51 in their total of 175 all out. Encouragingly, youngster Josh Fitton was next best with 23. Pick of the Plymouth bowlers with five for 47 was Steve Mattock.

   Fitton (3-24) posed problems with the ball for Plymouth, but Phil Stephenson (56), Dave Watson (32) and Matt Smith (31) posted the sort of start that meant not even a middle-order collapse could spoil.