Cornwood 2nd XI captain Dart (pictured) ends ton drought with 123 against Kingsbridge | Ashburton next for Wood in C West promotion decider
CORNWOOD 2nd XI warmed-up for their top-of-the-table tussle against Ashburton with a 114-run win over mid-table Kingsbridge.
Skipper Robin Dart (123) made his first league century since 2021, when he took one off Ashburton, in a Cornwood total of 255 for six.
Kingsbridge were eventually bowled out for 141 in reply. Skipper James Fletcher top scored with 47.
Victory kept the Wood four points clear of second-placed Ashburton going into this Saturday’s all-important clash on the Varwell Field. It isn’t quite a promotion decider, but Cornwood probably won’t be caught in the last round if they win. And in a division with only one promotion place, winning it is everything.
“Two weeks to go and all to play for,” said Dart. “These are the kind of games we want to be part of.”
Dart may have been the top run getter against Kingsbridge, but the final total was far from all his own work.
Charlie Farmer (30) put in 81 for the fifth wicket with Dart, and Will Sharp (40) was 22 yards away while another 110 was added.
“Kingsbridge weren't giving away runs easily so a really gritty and composed knock from 17- year-old Charlie Farmer on his second team debut helped us set a base,” said Dart.
Connor Rothwell (3-27) and the seemingly ageless Neal Peach (9-3-18-1) were the bowlers Cornwood got bogged down against.
Fletcher – in at 41 for two, last out on 141 – was one of just two Kingsbridge batters to make it past 20. Jack Brown (23), a former Cornwood player, was the other.
Kingsbridge went into a tail-spin from the moment Josiah Caunter dismissed Connor Rothwell to leave them 107 for five.
Josiah Caunter finished with three for 24 and fellow spinners Max Finzell (2-11) and Jacob Caunter (1-22) did the rest as Kingsbridge bowed out with more than nine overs to go.
Said Dart: “We had a great score on the board and just had to be patient and tight with the ball and the chances would come.”
