OLLIE SMITH REPORTING

FILLEIGH are looking to go back-to-back in the Tidball Insurance T20 Cup – and are one step closer to achieving that after defeating Sandford 3^rd XI by six runs in round two. 

Peter Buckley (29) and Sam Kent (44) put on 52 for the second wicket for Filleigh, and there was 18 not out from Arthur Buckley as the away side posted 145 all out after being asked to bat first. 

Jason Matten was the pick of the Sandford bowlers, collecting three Filleigh wickets for just 17 runs from his full allocation. 

Sandford got off to the perfect start, as a 77-run opening partnership was only broken in the 11th over. Rhys James kept the score ticking over and Filleigh only removed him after he had scored 65.

That was as good as it got for hosts Sandford, despite a 30-run cameo from captain Matten, the Filleigh death bowling saw the defending champions to the quarter-finals. 

Victorious captain Albert Buckley admitted he had reservations about his team’s final score.

“Batting first and being on 100 from ten overs was really good, but then to finish on 145, I thought it was looking under par,” he said.

“Sandford were going at the rate but a three-over spell from Arthur Buckley (4-11) turned the game.

“Sandford needed 15 from the last over, but I managed to take two wickets and we secured the win.”

Buckley was also looking further than the next round, adding: We’re looking to win the competition this year, and successfully defend last year’s cup win.”

Cornwood secured safe passage to the quarter-finals after defeating Plymouth Civil Service & Roborough by seven wickets. Thavaseelan Arulraj (36) top scored for PCS&R  before he was run out by Ethan Carlisle. The away side posted 124 all out from their 20 overs. 

Ewan Grewal got the Wood off to a flyer, as he raced to 37, but it was Carlisle and Mike Hodge who saw the home side to victory. Their 50 partnership came in just under five overs. 

Daniel O’Connell’s 94 saw Teignmouth & Shaldon defeat Topsham St James by nine runs. O’Connell’s 68-ball knock included 16 boundaries, as his side posted 160 for seven from their 20 overs. 

Where Teignmouth had one big score, Topsham shared the runs around, there were four scores above 20, but none more than Rohan Antony’s 35 not out, as their 151 for six fell short of the away side’s score. 

Clyst St George’s match against Cheriton Fitzpaine only took 16 overs to be completed, as they secured victory by nine wickets. Tiaan Van Der Walt’s figures of four for one finished off the Cheriton Fitzpaine innings. At the top end, it was Daniel Wells (3-10) who did the damage. 

Van Der Walt top scored for Clyst too. He needed just eight balls to score 31, as their target of 48 was chased in just three overs. 

ROUND THREE/QUARTER-FINAL

HEATHCOAT 3^rd XI defeated previous winners Sidbury by just three runs when their sides met at The Millfield. Harry Pryce, who top-scored in the second-round victory, also top scored here. He hit 55 from just 28 deliveries to help his side to 149 from 20 overs. 

Damien Armes (39) did his best to disrupt the Heathcoat bowlers; however, once he was out with 11 runs to win from the final over, there was too much for Sidbury to do, despite Ed Chester’s (33no) best efforts.

Cornwood needed fewer than four overs to secure their spot at finals day after they defeated Plymouth. 

The city side were bowled out for 70, with Charlie Cawardine and star of last round Mike Hodge taking three wickets apiece. Ewan Grewal (47no) was in a hurry to finish things, and his nine boundaries in just 17 balls saw his side to a 10-wicket win. 

The other quarter-final games to be played are Teignmouth & Shaldon vs Clyst St George and Filleigh vs Seaton. Both are scheduled for August.