By OLLIE SMITH
STOKE Gabriel are aiming to mark tomorrow’s (Sunday) fifth consecutive Corinthian Cup Finals Day appearance by finally lifting the trophy.
Only once have Stoke reached the final in the previous four appearances; in 2023 they lost out to a rampant Cullompton side by eight wickets.
Stoke have got this far this year by batting first and batting big; their lowest score in the previous round is 196. In their line-up, they boast the competition’s two leading run scorers, Justin Pringle (287), and Abishek Anand (231). 
They saw off Abbotskerswell then Barton in the first two rounds, before a quarter-final away to Heathcoat 2nd XI saw them pile on the runs; a Justin Pringle century saw them rack up 253.
Skipper Jack Tolley is hoping that form continues tomorrow.
“We have scored a lot of runs in the build-up and we to use that form to get over the line this time around.”
“We have almost everyone available for finals day this year, which is a good start. We’re hoping to take home the trophy on our fifth appearance in a row.
“There are four good sides this year, and we know we will have to play our best cricket to have a chance. Anything can happen, and we expect a tough game against Plymstock.”
Plymstock are celebrating their 125th anniversary in style. They are pushing for promotion at the top of the B Division and they have a T20 final day appearance to look forward to.
Their route to the semi-final has seen them race to victories against Plymouth Civil Service & Roborough, and Ivybridge. Their second-round match against Paignton was won via forfeiture.
The eight-wicket win against Plymouth Civil Service & Roborough came within 14 overs, and a run chase of 103 against a strong Ivybridge side was completed in the 13th over.
Tom Mitch will be the man leading Plymstock out, and he has favourable availability on his side.
“We are full strength and have a varied team ready for all scenarios in T20 cricket,” said Mitch.
“Our performances so far have been faultless. We’ve bowled both teams out for low scores and chased them very quickly.
“All the teams left have a lot of quality and there will be three games of cricket played at a very high standard, hopefully with us prevailing.”
Budleigh Salterton received a bye in the first round but that didn’t stop them making lightwork of Ottery St Mary and Sandford 2nd XI in the later rounds.
Captain Ed Doble led from the front against Ottery, hitting 59 before taking 2-1, securing a 91-run victory after bowling the opposition out for 59. The quarter-final saw them win at a canter against Sandford, chasing 122 inside 14 overs, for the loss of only two wickets.
Clyst St George’s route to finals day has seen them go past Bovey Tracey 2nd XI, Whimple, and Seaton.
Their progression against Bovey was due to an ineligibility issue. But their victories against Whimple and Seaton were their own doing. 
Ninety-seven from Wiehann Meyer and 50 from Tiaan Van Der Walt helped their side to a 97-run victory against Whimple. It was an all-rounder’s display from Andrew Donovan when his side faced Seaton – 66 and two for one – that helped his side through.
Dan Kendall, the Clyst St George captain, said his side are excited for their maiden appearance at finals day.
“We’re all looking forward to the occasion, it’s great for the club. I think we’re going into the day as genuine underdogs,” said Kendall.
“This will be our first finals day, and we do have a few players missing through holidays and work so it’s a shame they miss out.
“That being said, we’ve got plenty in the tank to compete on Sunday, and we will be giving everything to win. The batting has been our real strength in the competition, this year, and we have proven frontline bowling options as well.”
“We know the other teams well, they have a lot of T20 experience, so it’ll be tough, but we’re a squad that’s been together for a while now so we know how to find a way to win.”
Cornwood CC plays host to the day, with the semi-finals being Plymstock vs Stoke Gabriel and Budleigh Salterton vs Clyst St George. Both games get under way at noon on the adjoining pitches on the ground.
