JET SETTERS: The Devon team about to board their private plane for the flight to Norwich
DEVON are hoping for a membership spin-off from reaching the final of the MCC Trophy next month.
Paid-up county members can watch Devon play Berkshire from the comfort of the pavilion at Lord's - a privilege usually reserved for MCC members only.
To download a membership application, visit www.devoncricket.co.uk/county/dccmemberform.htm. New members also get a copy of the county yearbook valued at £5.
Devon booked their passage to Lord's with a 52-run win over Norfolk in Norwich in the last Sunday's semi-final.
Skipper Bob Dawson top scored for Devon with 77 in a total of 190 all out. Norfolk were bowled out for 138 in reply with spin bowler finishing with four for 39.
Devon managed to avoid the seven-hours-each-way drive to Norwich from by flying up in a chartered plane. Sponsors Clydesdale Bank came to Devon's rescue with a helping hand towards the £3,500 cost of flying.
'Clydesdale's help almost turned it into a home game for us as we were not at a disadvantage by being tired out from a long trip up overnight,' said Devon captain Bob Dawson.
'Without Clydesdale's help it would have been a lot harder for us to have won through to Lord's'
The return trip to Exeter took just 70 minutes on Sunday night, although being a nine-seater it was just as well two of the team were returning to London not Devon.
A NEWTON Abbot company wants to run a coach or coaches to Lord's on August 6 for Devon's Minor Counties Trophy final against Berkshire.
NACC events is planning to leave Torquay around 6am in the morning with pick-up points at Penn Inn, Newton Abbot, Exeter park and ride at Sowton and Tiverton Parkway.
David Morgan, who runs the company, said going by coach makes financial sense in the current economic climate.
'When you stop to think about the price of fuel for going to London and back and having to pay the congestion charge and parking fees when you get there, the cost of driving is soon going to add up,' said Morgan.
Coach tickets are £35 return with a 10 per cent reduction for block bookings of four or more. Bookings can be made online from next Wednesday. Further details from Morgan by email to Home @dm27.com.
