Cornwood look to pull away from Sandford

HIGH-FLYING Cornwood will continue their pursuit of the second promotion place and look to put distance between themselves and their hosts at Sandford tomorrow (1.30pm).

Cornwood were frustrated in their chase for Heathcoat’s runners-up spot after last week’s match with Alphington was curtailed due to bad light.

At the time of the call-off, Alphington were 128 for eight, requiring another 40 runs for victory with 11 overs remaining.

As a result, third-top Cornwood had to settle for a winning draw and 14 points and with only 100 points left to play for, Jason Hall admited his side need a healthy slice of good luck over the coming weeks.

Cornwood go into tomorrow’s match on 179 points, 13 ahead of Sandford, but a further 34 points behind Heathcoat.

“It’s going to be difficult now but we’ve got both (champions-elect) Exmouth and Heathcoat to play, so there may be a twist or two yet to come,” said Hall, who will be making his first visit to Creedy Park tomorrow.

“Basically, we need to win both those matches against the top two and also for Heathcoat to slip up.

“It’s a big ask but you never know and we’ll be doing our best that’s for sure, starting with Sandford, who are one place behind us in the league.

“It’ll be my first visit to Sandford’s ground, which I’m told is very nice, so we’re all looking forward to the match.”

Cornwood make just one change to last week’s starting XI, with Dave Petherbridge coming in for the unavailable Andy Bees.

Hall reckons Petherbridge’s experience and artful slow bowling will give his side another dimension against former Premier Division side Sandford.

Cornwood: R Dart, J Hall (capt), S Mansfield, K Wilcock, D Boase, B Warren, Cheema, M Wood, D Petherbridge, C Parker, H Bennett.

TAVISTOCK entertain Heathcoat at the Ring tomorrow (1.30pm), with the hosts requiring a massive up-turn in form and fortunes to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

Tavvy occupy bottom place with just 58 points and have yet to win this year, and will be long odds against doing so against Saturday’s visitors from east Devon.

Last time out, skipper Andy Gauler’s inexperienced Tavistock side, were handed a 158-run defeat at the hands of Barton, who themselves are not free of relegation worries.

Tavistock (possible): Tavistock: A Gauler (capt), D Manning, S Cleave, S Daymont, I Gray, W Simpson, R Davies, L Baker, A Bygott, S Willetts, A Kaitiff.