SUNDAY, APRIL 19
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DEVON completed their pre-season programme with a five-wicket win over the University of Exeter in a 50-over game at Exmouth.
Sandy Allen top scored with 59 not out as Devon knocked off 209 to win with almost five overs to spare.
Devon made a solid start though openers Richard Foan and skipper Bob Dawson, whose stand of 30 ended when Dawson was caught at mid-off having a go at left-armer Alex Carroll.
James Hudson and Foan took the score along to 66 when both went to consecutive balls: Hudson lbw to Chris Travers at the end of one over, Foan caught at slip off Scott Barlow at the start of the next.
The University needed another wicket quickly to get on top, but were thwarted by David Lye and Allen, who put on 73 without mishap, helped by some wayward bowling.
Lye looked on totally on top of the bowling when he played a rash shot on 42 and was caught at mid-off.
Allen and Dan Bowser appeared to be going the rest of the way unhindered, but with seven needed left-hander Bowser deflected a catch to slip and was gone.
Nick Gingell came in, hit two fours and went off again with the job done.
The University total of 206 for eight was constructed around a patient half-century at the top of the order by Ram Veera Rai and a brisk stand of 56 in the last eight overs between Hamish Barton and Richard Stevens.
Matt Surry did make 25 in an opening stand of 51 with Rai, but the rest made little or no headway against some tidy Devon bowling.
Spinner Hudson (3-35) led the wicket-taking effort while left-armer Gary Chappell did his future prospects no harm with seven accurate overs costing just 25 runs.
Rai, who has played in a one-day international for the United Arab Emirates, looked to be playing the anchorman during his 82-ball stay. He was dismissed trying to run a quick single which was cut out by wicketkeeper Allen, who threw down the stumps at the bowler's end with a direct hit.
Stevens, on Surrey's books primarily as an opening bowler, gave the University the impetus needed in the last 10 overs by clubbing 37 not out off 26 balls coming in at number nine.
Barton (40) and Stevens helped the students put on 75 in the final 10 overs. Josh Bess suffered worst of Devon's bowlers as he went for 37 in his final three-over spell.
The serious stuff starts for Devon this Sunday when they face Cornwall at Exmouth in their opening Minor Counties KO Cup game.
University of Exeter 206-8 (R V Rai 52, H A Barton 40, R F Stevens 37no; J M Hudson 3-53, I E Bishop 2-23), Devon 210-5 (A P W Allen 59no, D F Lye 42, R J Foan 26). Devon bt University of Exeter by 5 wkts.