IT was oh so close for Cornwall on Sunday as they lost by just one run to Devon in the Unicorns T20 South West Final at Exmouth, writes Michael Weeks.

Devon made 152-7 with Max Curtis hitting 73 while Brad Wadlan took two for 26 and Callum Wilson two for 30.

Cornwall lost Matt Robins to the first ball of the innings but Falmouth’s Christian Purchase got a quickfire 53 off 27 balls, including three sixes.

He even took 28 off an over from Jack Popham, hitting two sixes and four fours.

Devon fought back with a flurry of quick wickets to see Cornwall on 94-7 in the 13th over, but Rob Harrison joined Scott Harvey and the pair added 51 in less than six overs to see the target reduced to 14 off the last two overs.

Harrison hit his third six but was dismissed next ball for a belligerent 30, made off 18 balls.

It left eight needed off ten balls with two wickets remaining and when the final over started, three runs were still required.

After two dot balls, Callum Wilson was run out going for a second run and then Harvey caught low down at backward point to give the hosts a dramatic win by one run with two balls remaining.

Earlier in the day, Cornwall had beaten Dorset by four wickets with 23 balls to spare after bowling them out for 110.

Robins, three for 15, and Kelvin Snell, three for 22, did most of the damage.

Cornwall stuttered to 60-5 before Snell hit 35 not out off 16 balls with three sixes.

On Sunday, Cornwall will commence their Unicorns Championship season with a visit to Colwall to take on Herefordshire.

Matt Rowe and Mike Bone return to the team and Harrison is also included, having made himself available for three day cricket after missing last season.

The Falmouth trio of Antony Angove, Purchase and Furnival all retain their places.

Cornwall: ML Robins (c, Grampound Road), MH Rowe (Henley-on-Thames), SA Harvey (wk, Truro), BL Wadlan (Bridgend), CBF Purchase (Falmouth), MJ Bone (St Austell), PS Smith (Werrington), AD Angove (Falmouth), RJ Harrison (Truro), KJ Snell (Truro), GE Furnival (Falmouth).