EXMOUTH are through to the national knock-out rounds of the Vitality T20 EB Clubs blast – after beating Plymouth then North Devon CC to win the Devon title at Budleigh Salterton on Sunday.

Plymouth were beaten by six wickets in the lunchtime semi-final as Exmouth knocked off 113 to win with more than six overs to spare. Scorecard

Sam Stein top scored for Plymouth with 33 and Hal Kerton made 27 in a below-par total of 112 for six.

Plymouth were handicapped by having two regulars – Joe Hagan-Burt and Dan Goodey – on Devon duty and were also without holidaying ex-Somerset and Surrey all-rounder James Burke.

Miles Lenygon (25) got Exmouth started, then Andy Buzza (50) and Billy Rudolph (23) put on 57 unbroken to win it.

North Devon, who accounted for giant-killers Cullompton by 27 runs in the morning semi-final (scorecard), proved a tougher proposition in the final.

Exmouth made 174 for five – Lenygon (55) and Callum French (76) hoisting 120 for the second wicket  - and North Devon had a real go knocking off the runs.

“David Lye was out first ball, which put us on the back foot, but Miles batted superbly again and Callum batted better than I have ever seen him before,” said Dawson.

Dan Bowser hit 51 off 44 balls and Ben Howe made 60 off 37 and North Devon went off in pursuit.

Skipper Dawson initially felt Exmouth had enough runs, but North Devon gave him a few anxious moments.

“With 174 on the board I felt we were always winning it – and for the first 10 overs we were,” said skipper Bob Dawson.

“North Devon needed 11-12 an over by then – and started getting that and a few more.

“I still felt we were winning it, but in the back of your mind you are doing the sums and realise it could be 14-15 to win of the last over. That’s a different story.

“The turning point was Alvin Pollard bowling a wicket maiden in the 18th, which they started needing 35 to win.

“That swung it our way, but credit to North Devon for going for it. Ben Howe’s innings was very impressive. He looks like a fine cricketer.”

Matt Westaway, the North Devon captain, said his side made a great attempt to chase a ‘competitive’ total.

He added: “All our bowlers did OK, but Jay Rothery was the stand-out bowling two outstanding overs at the end that kept a lid on it and gave us a chance.  

“Dave Lye’s three overs in the power play were very miserly as our top order struggled to get him away.

“We were always a little behind the clock, but Dan Bowser and Ben Howe showed their class and with 35 required off three we were still in it.

“Alvin Pollard's 18th (wicket maiden) over put the game to bed.  

“We're disappointed but it was a good day out. Congratulations to Exmouth and we now wish them the best in the regionals.”

The games come thick and fast now for Exmouth as the next round of the T20 is a three-hander on the Maer this Sunday.

Cornish champions Penzance provide the opposition for Exmouth in game one. Start time is penciled in for 10am.

The lunchtime game is Welsh champs Port Talbot against Somerset winners Bath.

The two winners play off for a place in the last eight nationally.

Exmouth went all the way to the national final in 2015, losing to Ealing in a day-nighter at Cardiff.

This year’s final is at County Ground, Derby in mid-September.