By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
STOKE Gabriel skipper Jack Tolley believes his side’s bowlers may hold the key to unlocking victory over Ashburton in tomorrow’s (Sunday’s) Aaron Printers Cup final at South Devon CC (1.30pm).
Stoke disposed of Torquay in the semi-final after bowling them out for 77 – abnd skittled Bovey Tracey for just 36 in the round before that.
Jake Robinson, Andy Ball and Seb Ansley have been racking up the wickets en-route to the final and Tolley is keen for more of the same.
“Our bowling has been very good all competition, hitting the right lines and lengths against both Bovey and Torquay,” said Tolley.
Stoke can bat a bit too as Ansley, Andy Kingdon and Ant Kanwar have demonstrated in earlier rounds.
Tolley said with players such as Mike Meech and Withington lower down the order there is depth to the batting.
“You can't look past Kingo and Seb as our match winners, but it wouldn't surprise me if anyone in our line up came in and did the job with the bat,” said Tolley.
It is barely a fortnight since the two sides met in league game that ended in a last-ball tie.
Tolley has had two close-up views of Ashburton in the league this season as has formed some firm views about the quality of the opposition.
“Ashburton have some dangerous batsmen, as we have already seen this year,” said Tolley.
“Jake Pascoe is a very good young player and it won't surprise me if he moves on to bigger and better things very soon.
“Lloyd White and Ash Berry are good batsmen, but Ashburton are a dangerous team. We will need to bowl very well and take all our catches if we want to win this game.”
Jake Pascoe is one of five Pascoes – all related – who are in Ashburton’s line-up for the final. His quickfire 50 and 49 from White were key to beating holders Paignton 2ndXI in the semi-final.
Ashburton have not reached any sort of final since 1981 when they were runners-up in the South Devon League Cup.
White said just reaching the final was an achievement for his largely young side, not that they are only there for a day out.
"All the boys have been buzzing since winning the semi-final against Paignton,” said White.
“All of our members are looking forward to what should be a great day for the club.
“It is an honour to lead this fantastic group of lads out in a cup final, and regardless of the result, I am sure it won't be our last one.
“Having tied in our last league fixture against Stoke, we already know the two teams can be evenly matched and no doubt Sunday will be another great encounter."
Stoke Gabriel:J Tolley, A Kingdon, S Ansley, B Robinson, I Withington, M Meech, A Kanwar, H Yeates, J Robinson, K Lardner, A Ball.
Ashburton:J Pascoe, P Pascoe, L White, C Pascoe, A Berry, D Coles, S Edmonds, M Coon, M Churchill, T Pascoe, L Pascoe.
Umpires: C T Sleep, D Smith
Scorers: M Causey (Ashburton) and Mrs S Ansley (Stoke Gabriel).
