Top two collide at the County Ground with title race on a knife-edge
Exeter v Paignton
1.00pm – The County Ground
What happened the last time the sides met
There was not much between these two at Queens Park earlier in the season, with Paignton eventually coming out on top by four wickets.
Exeter made 159 for eight from their 40 overs, with Elle Golsworthy scoring 57 and Grace Golsworthy 32 during a century partnership.
Paignton kept themselves in the game with the ball, Abbie Lockett taking 2-17 while Ellie Bishop was also among the wickets.
Bishop then did the damage with the bat, making 67 in the chase. Sophie Kirkup added 24 and Ellie Knight finished unbeaten on 23 as Paignton reached 160 for six in the 38th over.
This weekend’s game
It is difficult to imagine a better fixture at this stage of the season.
Paignton arrive at the County Ground just one point ahead of Exeter, with both knowing a good afternoon could put them in pole position going into the final round.
Exeter will, however, be without Elle Golsworthy, who is away at Loughborough playing in the Super Fours. Her absence is a significant one, with Golsworthy currently leading the Division One batting table with 513 runs, including a highest score of 204 not out.
That will place a little more responsibility on the rest of the Exeter batting order. Georgia Read, who has made 299 league runs this season, will be one of those expected to step up, as will Elle’s younger sister Grace Golsworthy and last season’s leading Division One run-scorer, Jess Breban.
Grace comes into Sunday’s game in good form after hitting a rapid-fire 92 in the Under-19 Club T20 semi-final. Exeter went on to finish third nationally in the competition, further evidence of the strength and depth currently coming through in Devon women’s cricket.
Paignton have plenty of batting strength of their own. Ellie Bishop has scored 368 runs and Ella Gill 354, putting both among the leading batters in the division.
There is quality with the ball as well. Briella Humphreys Crouch tops the Division One wicket-taking list with 18 for Exeter, including best figures of 6-1, while Katie Donovan has 10.
Paignton’s Katie Harman has 14 wickets, and Bishop’s 12 wickets underline just how important her all-round contribution has been this season.
Paignton’s Hollie Perkin says the league leaders are enjoying their position, but there will be no looking beyond Sunday.
“We’re really pleased with how the season has gone so far and we’re looking forward to what should be a great game at Exeter on Sunday.
“Although we’re top of the table, we’re not looking any further ahead than this weekend. We know Exeter have a lot of quality players who we all know well, so we know it will be a tough game.
“We’re pretty much at full strength this week and hopefully we can put in another good performance and come away with another win.”
What is at stake
This one does not need much dressing up.
Paignton lead Exeter by a point. If they match or better Exeter’s return over the final two games, they stay ahead of them.
Exeter simply need to gain two more points than Paignton from here.
There is another factor, of course. Plymouth are only four points off the lead, so whichever side loses ground on Sunday could suddenly find the defending champions moving past them.
That makes the bonus points almost as interesting as the result itself.
