CORNWOOD are the first team through to finals day in the Servicemaster Clean Devon T2O Cup after a breath taking run-chase at Sandford yesterday.

Premier side Sandford racked up 202 for seven in 20 overs, which A Division Cornwood knocked off with three balls to spare and eight wickets intact.

Sandford’s total was constructed around a stand of 131 for the fourth wicket between former Devon pair Richard Foan (59) and Trevor Anning (42).

There were three-wicket hauls for Cornwood captain Matt Skeemer (3-28) and Craig James (3-29).

Skeemer then led the run chase with an unbeaten 99 that came off 58 balls and included seven fours and six sixes.

Opener Skeemer put on 138 for the first wicket with Ben Beaumont, whose own contribution of 77 came off 40 balls and contained seven sixes and five fours.

Cornwood needed 28 to win from the last four overs and got down to the last set of six 12 runs short. Skeemer took care of it, hitting Harrison Jones for six, then taking a two before heaving the Aussie bowler away for six again.

Winning skipper Skeemer said just getting a side out had been an issue, which made the win even more remarkable.

“It was a struggle for us to get 11 players so to win the game was a great effort,” said Skeemer

“Two hundred was a lot of runs to score and always going to be tough, but we always managed to stay in touch with the rate and timed the chase perfectly.”

Foan said it was a great game of cricket and he has absolutely no complaints about the outcome.

“I thought we had enough with 202 on the board, although our innings was a bit disrupted with the weather and that cost us a few runs,” said Foan.

“Cornwood went hard and kept hitting the ball out of the ground.

“Overall a good game played in the right spirit and good luck to them at the finals day.”

Finals day is at North Devon CC on July 14. The reserve date is July 21. The other quarter-finals are Heathcoat v Exeter (June 23), North Devon v Bradninch (June 30) and Sidmouth v Exmouth (TBC).