By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

CORNWOOD were on the receiving end of the latest assault from Paignton’s Indian super-star in waiting Divyaansh Saxena.

Saxena, who has played for India under-19s and Mumbai, pocketed his third Premier ton of the season so far as Paignton hurtled to 288 all out with seven balls of their 50 overs left.

The 21-year-old left-hander has only played five league games for his adopted club as he did not arrive until round three. How many more tons has he got in the locker? Only time will tell.

The record for the most Premier Division centuries scored in a single season belongs to former Plymouth batter Faizan Riaz, who made seven during the 2019 season.

Saxena made 162 of 114 balls and dispatched 20 fours and seven sixes while involved in partnerships that added 202 runs.

Cole Harford was next best with 41 made in a stand of 104 with Saxena. No one else reached 20.

Jay Bista, Cornwood overseas player, led the bowling effort with three for 22 from nine overs. Elliott Staddon had three for 54.

Cornwood had reached 103 for five in their 18th over when rain stopped play at Queen’s Park. Max Finzel (44) and Staddon (25) were their main run-getters.

The Cornwood innings had to last 20 overs before the Duckworth-Lewis System came into play. As it did not the game was abandoned.

George Benton, back at Paignton after a six-week stay with Torquay, had two Cornwood wickets in his first over.

Staddon, the Cornwood captain, said although he had some sympathy for Paignton he felt no guilt about escaping with 13 points from a game his side was unlikely go win.

“Paignton will have been disappointed as we cannot deny we were very up against getting a good result, but the rain gods played in our favour, which tends to go against us,” said Staddon.

On Saxena’s innings Staddon said: “ He really shone as a class act with the bat and he didn't give us a chance during his innings.”

Mark Orchard, the Paignton skipper, had something to say about league rules governing rain-affected games.

“Some things you can't control and the weather hit us at the wrong time,” said Orchard.

“Maybe the 20 over rule to constitute a game needs looking at, now we have DLS within the game?”

Orchard got what he was looking for on the pitch as a response to the defeat by Sandford seven days earlier.

“The lads bounced back superbly with Intent to score runs and set a target,” said Orchard.

“Divy’s gave us another superb innings, with partnerships all the way down. 

“Cole Harford’s innings was superbly timed: he's really developing and making a top-order spot his this year.”

George Benton, the former Paignton captain, had two wickets on his return to Queen’s Park from Torquay.

Said Orchard: “Beano set the tone with two wickets in his first over and we continued to bowl well, with a wet ball, whilst they trying to get the overs needed in.

“Overall I was really impressed with our team out there. If we can take that to North Devon this Saturday it'll be a cracking game.”