Declan Lines - runs and wickets for Sidmouth

CULLOMPTPON sprung a surprise in the Servicemaster Clean Devon T20 Cup when they defeated Budleigh Salterton by 20 runs.

Brendon Parr clubbed 97 not out in Cullompton’s total of 161 for four – a hefty one in T20 cricket.

Brendon ParrAlong the way there were stands of 67 with Tom Mortiboys (24) and 60 with Adrian Pullin, whose contribution was just four runs.

‘Captain Fantastic’ Parr smashed eight sixes and seven fours and was severe on the Budleigh change bowlers.

Budleigh replied with a respectable 141 for four, led by Phil Anning with 56.

Anning and Ed Doble (30) notched 93 for the second wicket. Jack England made 24 not out, but keeping up with the eight-an-over asking rate proved too much.

Pullin, Rob McManus and Parr all bowled tight, four-over spells for Cully, who go through to the final six.

Sidmouth are through after getting the best of a full three-game round at Paignton.

Declan Lines (43) and Elliot Rice (47) were Sidmouth’s  prime run getters in a total of 160 for six.

Robbie Powell chipped in with 21 not out off 20 balls.

Rob Shergold (3-26) was easily the pick of the Paignton bowlers. Young spinner Sam Woodcock (0-28 off 4) warrants a mention in dispatches.

Paignton were all out for 52 in reply. Skipper Richard Ashworth top scored with 11. Lines (3-17) and Luke Bess (2-9) led the bowling effort for Sidmouth.

Player registration issues forced Paignton to concede game two against Devon champions Torquay, although the game was played anyway.

Harry Ward – definitely one to watch for the future – biffed 66 off 47 balls with eight fours and a six in Paignton’s total of 177 for four. Ward and Rob Shergold (41) shared a stand of 116 for the fourth wicket.

Torquay were 167 for nine when the overs ran out. Lots of chip-ins were headed by Mitch Pugh’s 22 opening up.

Cole Harford took three for 30 and Woodcock two for 14.

As Torquay got the points from their conceded game against Paignton, it was winner takes all in the last match-up between them and Sidmouth.

And what a great game of T20 cricket it was, which went right down to the wire. Torquay needed eight to win off the last over bowled by Sidmouth skipper Bess and fell five runs short.

Bess (46) and Lines (48) were the main run getters for Sidmouth’s total of 168 for seven.

Bess and Lines put on 52, Lines and Bess added 55 and Byron Knowles (10) hung round while 23 went up off 14 balls.

Pugh (2-18) and Neal Osborne (3-34) had the most success in their four-over spells for Torquay.

Josh Hunt (23) gave Torquay a start then skipper George Allen (42) and Pugh (71) knocked up 104.

At 138 for two with three over to go Torquay were favourites. Then Lines bowled Pugh and the run rate slowed.

Bess bowled the final over, Osborne got out first ball and Ian Baker followed with one ball left. Jack Richardson had to hit six to win off the final ball, but only took a single.

Already through to the final six were Sandford, Exmouth and Plymouth. Heathcoat and North Devon have yet to meet in their pool decider.