Corinthians B claim title in debut Div. Two season

CORINTHIANS capped their debut season with the Barclays Evening League Division Two title after a play-off with Salemites on Saturday. The two sides had met on the first day of the season, when the result was the same, and both lost just twice during the regular season to force the decider at the KGV.

But Salemites were under strength on the day, missing captain Darren Tourtel and the ever-important Ralph Anthony among others, and Corinthians B won comfortably after setting a run-a-ball target of 97 in 16 overs.

John Luff's 42 not out, from 49 balls, was the mainstay of the innings, which set off at about six an over but never really took off. Skipper Glenn Bradshaw's forcing 24, from just 15 balls with four boundaries, provided impetus and Luff cut loose towards the end.

Steve Le Ray started brightly in Salemites' reply but holed out at mid-wicket, where Jake Le Marchant held a good low catch.

Young left-arm spinner Max Ellis, a strong candidate for the divisional player of the season, bowled superbly to claim the first three wickets for just 16 runs, and when Chris Dravers followed up with two wickets in two balls, followed by a run out off the next, the game was well and truly up for Salemites. They ended their 16 overs on 74 for six.

However, they can expect promotion back to Division One, with Corinthians unable to go up, in place of HSBC Griffins.

Corinthians missed out on a double title when their C side were beaten by St Martin's in the Division Three play-off yesterday.