By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

  

EXETER are on their way back to the Devon KO Cup final for the second year running after a thrilling four-run win over Torquay on the County Ground yesterday.

   And waiting for them at Braunton in two weeks' time are Sandford, who put out holders Paignton, the side who beat Exeter in last season's final.

   Exeter's semi-final against Torquay was a real see-saw affair that came down to a classic finish with five runs needed by the Seasiders with one wicket in hand and an over to go.

   Sandford had it easier at Paignton, where they restricted the holders to 113 for seven, then knocked off the runs with our wickets and 15 balls to spare.

   Exeter were dismissed for 157 with more than four of their 40 overs to go and must have feared they hadn't got enough on the board.

   At 108 for three they were going along nicely. But lost Will Warne (20) and Rob Holman (46) in quick succession as they dipped to 124 for seven.

   The bowler who did the damage was former Somerset left-armer Matt Bulbeck, who went on to finish with three for 23.

   Luckily for Exeter, tail-ender Jordache Rawson flung the bat at the end and made a priceless 24.

   Torquay were soon in trouble on the chase against Derek Lammonby (3-25) and Rawson (2-35) and a two-wicket burst by Mark Gribble against the club he skippered last season had the visitors reeling at 59 for seven.

   Then Chris Needham launched a remarkable fightback that took Torquay within a whisker of pulling off a famous win.

   Needham made 72 and with last man Peter Lucketti, the former Exeter wicketkeeper, took Torquay from 113 for nine to 153 for nine going into the last over from Glenn Lammonby.

   Needham lashed the first ball from Lammonby towards extra-cover, where a diving Rawson to the catch to win the match.

   Sandford had a couple of scares late in the day before completing their win at Queens Park, which always looked on the cards with a target of 114 to win.

   Trevor Anning, Richard Foan and Stuart Priscott had two wickets each while Richard Baggs nabbed in-form opener Simon Edwards, who stepped on his stumps when surprised by the pace on the ball.

   Take away Alston Bobb's 35 – he was fifth out with the score on 79 – and there wasn't a lot else from the Paignton batters.

   Edwards made 14and former Devon all-rounder Tim Ward hit 12 before he fell to a tumbling catch by Foan off Anning, who was operating in off-spin rather than paceman mode.

   Foan (26) and Neil Davey (14) gave Sandford a 42-run start then Anning (15), James Gibson (15) and Baggs took the score up to 107 for four.

   Spinner Bobb picked off Anning and Priscott in the space of three balls as Sandford wobbled with victory in sight.

   Baggs (15no) and Chris Jelley (6no) made sure there were no slip ups.

   Exeter 157 (R Holman 46, M Gitsham 24, J Rawson 24, W Warne 20; M Bulbeck 3-23, A Easton 3-40), Torquay 153 (C Needham 72; M Gribble 2-12, J Rawson 2-35, D Lammonby 3-25). Exeter bt Torquay by 4 runs.

   Paignton 113-7 (A Bobb 35; T Anning 2-27, R Foan 2-32, S Priscott 2-12), Sandford 116-6 (R Foan 26; A Bobb 3-18, S George 2-23). Sandford bt Paignton by 4 wkts.