Ward and Medlock put Paignton in commanding position against Cornwood

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PAIGNTON scored a moral victory for the battles ahead in Premier West when they beat Cornwood by 58 runs in a warm-up game.

Harry Ward hit 60 and Luke Medlock 33 in Paignton’s total of 165 for nine.

Cole Harford (4-25) and Connor Ashworth (2-5) had Cornwood back in the pavilion for 107.

The two teams have been placed together in the Premier West section of the cut-down Devon League programme, which gets under way this Saturday.

A win over one of their rivals for a semi-final place, even in a friendly, is ideal preparation for the section opener against Plympton this Saturday.

The season is 12 weeks late getting under way and Paignton captain George Benton cannot wait to get cracking.

“All of us at Paignton are looking forward to the return of competitive cricket,” said Benton.

“We've been drawn against solid teams and we are ready to get things going. 

“With it not being a normal season it will be good to see what some of the youngsters can do and help them tune their skills.”

EXETER resumed their preparations for the start of league cricket this Saturday with a 56-run win over visiting Cullompton.

Ed Middleton looks like the man in form for Exeter as he followed run and wickets in the defeat at Sidmouth with more of the same, this time in a winning cause.

Middleton top scored with 87 not out in Exeter’s all-out total of 175 in the last of their 40 overs.

The city side had been 61 for five approaching halfway before Middleton and Charlie Fanous (41) put on 79 for the sixth wicket.

Jason Parr (3-15) and Paul Rendall (2-14) were Cullompton’s most effective bowlers.

Cullompton struggled at first – they were 10 for two then 37 for three in reply – but recovered as Tom Mortiboys (41) and Brendon Parr (26) put on 51.

Middleton broke the stand when he bowled Mortiboys and went on to take three for 31 as Cully slipped to 119 all out.Still 

Dominic Tuohey (3-15) spun away at the other end as Cully’s lower order came and went.

The two sides will do it again this Saturday as Cullompton are due back at the County Ground to play Exeter in Premier South.