Paignton up to second in Premier table after 83-run win at Cornwood | 'Going into the final game with a chance to win the Premier Division, no matter how slim, is a great reflection of our season ' – Harry Ward

PAIGNTON captain Harry Ward won’t be complaining too loudly if his team finish runners-up in the Premier Division this season.

Baring the sort of far-fetched tale found in fairy stories, Bradninch & Kentisbeare are four points away from retaining the title they won last year.

Paignton’s 83-run win over Cornwood last time out moved them up to second place at Exmouth’s expense.

And if that’s where Paignton’s season ends, Ward will be content… sort of!

“Going into the final game with a chance to win the Premier Division, no matter how slim, is a great reflection of our season and the hard work we’ve put in as a group,” said Ward. 

“We’ll keep believing that it can still be achieved.”

Paignton’s batters played their shots to reach 242 all out in the 41st of their 50 overs. Neil Hancock – 73 off 42 balls – played more than most.

Cornwood were 125 for four approaching the halfway stage. Ben Privett (58) and Ben Beaumont (24) supplying the runs.

The trouble started when skipper Elliott Staddon (25) was sixth out on 141. Five wickets fell for just 18 runs scored as the Wood tumbled to 159 all out.

Paignton’s Aya Gqamana took his wicket tally for the season to 54 – a new record for the Premier Division in the 10-overs-a-bowler era that started in 2012. Sidmouth’s Dan Babula (46) set the previous record in 2014.

The Medlock brothers – Rory (2-33) and Luke (2-6) had two wickets each.

Hancock wasn’t the only Paignton batter to get among the runs. Luke Medlock opened with 36 and shared a stand of 80 with the former Devon captain. Other chip-ins came from Gqamana (26) and Mark Gilmour (31).

Privett, fit to bowl again after an injury, topped the Cornwood bowling stats with four for 41. Staddon had three for 69. Going for 23 in two overs bowling to Gilmour and Rory Medlock skewed his figures.

Looking back on the game, winning skipper Ward said” Saturday was a fantastic result at a very tough place to get one.

“Everyone contributed, and Hanks batted aggressively, putting us in a strong position.

”Scoring 240 at Cornwood was always going to make it a challenging chase. 

They started well and at 70 for one after 10 overs, I thought they were ahead of the game. Ben batted superbly for them. 

“We responded brilliantly with the ball and in the field. Woody bowled the best I’ve seen from him this season and probably changed the game in our favour. 

“It was a great win against a very good side and an amazing feeling to head into the final game still in with a chance of winning the league.”

Staddon had no problem pinpointing what went wrong for Cornwood.

“The better team won on the day with some good performances by Hancock and Gqamana,” said Staddon.

“We didn't think 240 was a high chase with a short boundary on one side, but lost wickets in clumps again through Gqamana, which meant we were chasing the game and didn't build enough partnerships to get it done. 

“A few rough decisions probably needed to go our way to get closer.”