Match (Click Here to view Video Highlights)

Stoke Gabriel vs Paignton - 08/08/08 - Queen's Park - Paignton Cricket Club - 2008 Final Aaron Printers Narracott Cup

       Back Row - Bill Alcock , Jamie Day , Adam Newman , Dave Bolland , Mark Jackson , Nick Sandbrook.

Front Row - Matt Corstorphin , Mark Newman , Neil Robinson (Injured skipper) , Steve Tolley (Stand in captain) , Rob Baker  (Man Of The Match) , Adam Castle.

Result

Stoke Gabriel beat Paignton by 5 Wickets

Report

A magnificent 70 from just 40 balls from man of the match Rob Baker (Right) ensured that Stoke Gabriel would win the Narracott Cup for the first time in their history. After restricting Paignton to a tantalising 130 from the allotted 15 overs,  Stoke won the game with time to spare thanks to Baker’s half century which included 5 sixes and 4 fours.

Stand in skipper won the toss, and as has been the way in the competition this season , Stoke bowled first on a rare fine evening at Queen’s Park Paignton. Stoke opened with Nick Sandbrook and Aussie Mark Jackson. Sandbrook could count himself unlucky when Cooper picked out Adam Castle at mid on , whose Petr Cech impersonation could hold onto what would have been a spectacular start to the innings for Stoke. But is what Jacko , who took the first wicket , bowling Mark Smith. For the time being , the good fortune for Stoke ended , as young gun Scott Baldry added 69 with opener Richard Cooper. Baldry imparticular punishing anything wet and wild from 2^nd line spinner Adam Castle. But it the safety need had the last laugh , bowling Baldry for a quick 31. Mark Gilmour added 20 with Cooper before he picked out Nick Sandbrook in the covers who held on to a hard chance , Cooper  on his way off for 48. Clopper soon had Mark Gilmour bowled , and with late wickets from Jamie Day, Paignton finished their 15 overs on 130.

The reply couldn’t get much worse , in the 5^th ball of the innings the run machine could only pick out cover , and end his night. This bought Rob Baker to the crease , and the young Luggy aspirator didn’t take long to get going. Butchering Paignton opening bowler Chris Smith for two concecutive sixes. Baker’s fun continued as he got hold of some ragged bowling from Mark Gilmour , as he dispatched both out of the attack. Jason Woodcock bought the end to The Fish’s innings,  as Bill could only pick out Richard Cooper , who clung on to a spectacular catch at mid on.

Baker wasn’t going to let Woodcock tie the visitors down , and after his first over went for just 2 , his second went for 23 , including two sixes and two fours. The introduction  of Rob Shergold bought the game back within reach for Paignton , bowling Tony Hawk , and then Jamie Day in consecutive delieveries. Baker was joined by Mark Newman , the pair added 32 for the fifth wicket. Baker eventually fell to a returning Mark Gilmour – now bowling seamers , and departed to a standing ovation for a superb 70. This left Monkey and Aussie Matt Corstorphin to whack the winning runs , and the celebrations to being , stand in skipper Steve Tolley lifted the trophy for the first time in the clubs history.

After 9 team selections , 4 cancellations , 2 abandonment's and 3 completed matches,  the journey for Stoke is over. After that victory against South Devon in the opening round , Stoke were afforded a pass go ticket after Lustleigh withdrew from the competition. With a comfortable victory over Dartington And Totnes at Barton,  it was to be that on the opening day of the Olympics , Stoke Gabriel are the 2008 Aaron Printers Narracott Cup Champions.

Scorecard

1st Innings - Paignton

2nd Innings - Stoke Gabriel