By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
SIDMOUTH and Heathcoat will clash on the Fortfield tomorrow in the Premier Tier play-off final.
Heathcoat, last season’s Premier champions, are possibly slight underdogs against Sidmouth, who were champs in 2018.
As neither side has lost a competitive game this season, something has got to give.
While Sidmouth are close to full strength with all three Bess brothers in the early order and Devon captain Alex Barrow opening up, Heathcoat are a couple of batters light.
Work commitments prevented Liam Lewis or Rob Holman appearing in the win over Bradninch that took Heathcoat to the final – and neither are available again.
Peter Randerson, the Heathcoat captain and former Sidmouth wicketkeeper, is also without Simon Sobczak, although the return of Dylan Penberthy is a counterweight.
Randerson said he is looking forward to returning to his old stomping ground, adding: “It is always a good game against Sidmouth.
“Hopefully it will stay dry and we can round off a successful season.
CORNWOOD have ben forced to make three changes to their side for the Premier second-placed play-off final against Sandford.
Missing from the side that dispatched Bovey Tracey in the semi-final are Aaron Richards, Adam Goodliffe and Matt Tamsett.
As Tamsett and Goodliffe took five wickets between them in the win over Bovey Tracey, they will be missed.
Elliott Staddon, Robin Dart and Nathaniel Bell all come in for the Oak Park showdown.
Matt Skeemer, whose skipper’s knock saw Cornwood home against Bovey, said: “ We are expecting a tough game, but happy to have the chance to play again.”
Richard Foan, the Sandford captain, has had a task getting a side together owing to extensive availability problems.
“It will be a good opportunity for a few second team players to have a go at the higher level,” said Foan.
“I appreciate the efforts of the lads who have made themselves available to travel to Cornwood.
“Cornwood have some good players and we look forward to another weekend of cricket.”
PLYMPTON are involved in three play-off finals tomorrow – all away from home.
The first team are at Hatherleigh in the fourth-place play-off for Premier clubs, the 2nd XI are away to Ipplepen II in Tier Three and the 3rd XI journey to Woodbury & Newton St Cyres in the Tier Eight competition.
The reason Plympton can’t play at home is their ground is being used for a memorial charity game remembering former player Marc Humphries, who died earlier this year.
“A team of our ex-players are playing Tideford in a testimonial game,” said Jon Goulder, the Plympton chairman.
“The game was arranged a couple of months ago and because it is ex-players taking part our regulars are free to play in the finals.”
Spinner Jacob Caunter is unavailable, as is seamer Craig Donohue. Matt Knight and Sam Wood come into the team.
Captain Justin Wubbeling missed the semi-final win over Budleigh Salterton and in his continued absence Alex Carr is in charge of the team.
A football injury is going to prevent Rob Cockwill captaining Hatherleigh, so Gareth Tidball steps into the role.
Danny Forrester, run laden in the 2nd XI recently, will replace Cockwill and Adam Quick is in for miserly seamer Paul Heard.
Hatherleigh have not found it easy during the limited season, but Cockwill has been happy with the exposure youngsters such as the Presswell twins and Eddie Jones have enjoyed.
“We are just looking for steady improvement from the young lads and for some of the older heads to step up and find some form,” said Cockwill.
“ Winning is not the be all and end all. Just hoping for another good game of cricket that both teams can enjoy.”
CULLOMPTON are due to host Shaldon Optimists in the third-place Premier play-off.
