LEE Baker and Mohsin Khan claimed four wickets each to speed Cornwood to a 99-run win over Exeter on the County Ground.

Cornwood’s 50-over total of 202 for nine against statistically the strongest batting line-up in the Premier Division may have looked a little sub-prime during the tea interval.

Baker and Khan proved it was more than enough by skittling Exeter for 103 with more than 21 overs unused.

“The start Mo gave us, combined with some good catching, won us the game,” said Cornwood captain Matt Skeemer. “He bowled with pace and great skills. ‘Bakes’ then did what he always does.”

Victory takes Cornwood up to third in the table – they were sixth – behind confirmed champions Paignton and likely runners-up Sandford.

Khan (47) and Noah Carlisle (25) made top four runs for Cornwood, who found getting them hard against Exeter’s attack, notably spinners Seb Linnitt (3-38) and Sam Read (2-30). Economy-wise, Owais Ahmad (1.67), Will Price (3.60) and Jon Lewis-Oliver (3.40) gave little away.

Matt Skeemer’s watchful 48 off 70 balls, mostly in a stand of 80 with Carlisle, was the backbone of the innings.

“Two hundred was probably a little bit short of where we thought we’d be at one point, but we were fairly happy as the pitch was good and offered something for everyone,” said Skeemer.

Khan (4-32) and Skeemer the seamer (2-17) had Exeter reeling at 24 for five before they knew it!

Read made 28, Matt Kimber 20 and Ahmad (18) before a mix of Skeemer, Khan and spinner Baker (4-23) bowled Exeter out.

The Wood are happy to be back to winning ways and to have moved back up the table.

On the flipside, Cornwood 2nd XI suffered a middle-order collapse that ultimately cost them the C Division West derby date against Plymouth 2nd XI.

Cornwood made a solid start chasing 190 to win and were 74 for three approaching the half-way stage. It all went wrong in the time it took to slide to 91 for seven with Jason Hall (35) among the casualties.

James Hulbert (2-6) and Azir Rahmanzai (3-31) were the bowlers responsible for Cornwood’s woes.

Josiah Caunter (20) and tail-enders Sam Gibbs (14) and Tom Burrows (14) battled on, but the damage was done and Cornwood subsided to 155 all out. Melissa Banks (2-22) and George Toms were involved in the tidying up.

Plymouth had to recover from a shaky start – they were seven for two – to get as far as 189 for seven.

Saiesh Reddy (69) put on 60 with Rahmanzai (26) and 61 with Jake Smith (23) towards the rescue mission.

Cornwood spinners Hall and Caunter only managed one wicket between them but consistently operated around three runs an over.

Lastly, Cornwood 3rd XI fell to defeat away at Babbacombe in the E Division West, losing by 58 runs.

Babbacombe will get to celebrate winning the title away at Whitchurch Wayfarers on the weekend regardless of their result.

Kenn and Cornwood both enjoyed solid seasons but ultimately, were unable to rival the side from Torquay.

Cornwood 3rd XI conclude their campaign at home against fourth-placed Stoke Gabriel 2nd XI for something of a derby- a win would secure them a top-three finish but even defeat to Stoke could lead to the same outcome.