DCL first XI

premier division

Cornwood 176 all out,

Exmouth 218-7;

Cornwood (six points) lost to Exmouth (19)

by 42 runs

It was one of those games that got away for Cornwood. A good performance in the field kept Exmouth down to 218 runs.

Number three batsman Callum French top scored for Exmouth with 54 before falling to the ever-accurate Jason Hall.

The Cornwood bowling attack shared the wickets around, with New Zealander Craig James taking the lion’s share of 3-53.

Exmouth’s batting line-up looked strong on paper, with several regular county players featuring in their top order, so Corns skipper Elliot Staddon would have been pleased to have bowled them out within 40 overs, and at tea would have fancied his chances of knocking off the runs.

Unfortunately, des­pite keeping ahead of the run rate throughout the innings, there were not enough top-order partnerships to really stay on target.

Opener Mark Roca showed some good touches before getting out to a straight one, and this set the trend for the rest of the in­nings, with wickets falling regularly along the way.

Jackson Thompson (25) and Steve Lambert (28) offered the most resistance from the Cornwood batsmen, but unfortunately once Lambert fell, caught and bowled to man-of-the-match Callum French, it was an uphill struggle and Cornwood eventually fell short by 42 runs.

This defeat meant Cornwood slipped into the second relegation spot in the premier division for the first time, some 17 points behind Heathcoat, who they meet this coming Saturday in what is likely to be a key match for both teams.

Cornwood seconds, beat Exmouth second XI away, with both Luke and James Richardson making half centuries.

The 3rds and 4ths both recorded victories against Plymouth CC sides, which helped to keep them in strong positions in their divisions.