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Sunday, May 6

CAPTAIN Bob Dawson starred with bat and ball as Devon made it two wins on the trot in the Minor Counties KO Cup with a five-wicket win over Berkshire at Exmouth.

   Berkshire, who won the toss and batted, recovered from a worrying 91 for six after an early pasting from Trevor Anning and Neil Hancock, to reach 210 all out in the last of their 50 overs.

   Devon lost opener Richard Foan sooner than they would have liked – he was caught behind flashing at Tom Lambert after hitting two exquisite fours – then raced to 76 as Dawson cut loose for a quickfire 46 – 40 of which came in boundaries.

   Dawson looked a safe bet for a half-century – and few more - when a change of bowling proved his undoing. On came spinner Carl Crowe and two balls later Dawson had his stumps re-arranged.

   Rob Woodman had already gone by then to a reflex catch as slip and the innings was at a potential turning point at 80 for three. Neil Hancock with 35 in a stand of 62 with David Court, kept Devon on the right path.

   Hancock fell lbw to Paul Carter and Devon wobbled briefly when Court went to a brilliant diving catch at short mid-wicket by Craig Crowe to give Steve Naylor a scalp.

   Another wicket then could have made it difficult for Devon as they still had 51 to get.

   Big hitter David Lye knew that and curbed his natural instincts to make a patient 40 not out to see Devon home with almost five overs to spare. Rob Gear kept an end stoppered-up for eight not out.

   Just to show he hadn't lost his touch, Lye unleashed a couple of sumptuous square drives and launched Carl Crowe for a huge six that was still climbing as it cleared the sightscreen.

   Berkshire had been in trouble almost from the word go as Hancock trapped openers Dave Barnes and Sam Woodward plumb in front one after the other.

   Former Leicestershire and England batsman Aftab Habib came in at 14 for two and went three balls later when he left a straight ball from Hancock that bowled him.

   Chris Ellison, the former Cornwall player, and captain Bjorn Mordt staged a recovery by rattling the score along to 74 without further mishap.

   Mordt had reached 21 when he stepped out to drive Anning and looked back moments later to see his off-stump knocked out of the ground.

   Steve Naylor went cheaply – Anning had him caught at mid-on by Ian Bishop – then Ellison (38) was rapped on the pad by the same bowler and umpire Curson said it was time to go.

   Berkshire were teetering on the brink of total collapse at 91 for six when Craig Crowe came out to join Paul Carter to attempt to stop the rot.

   Crowe and Carter certainly turned the tide with a stand of 95 that kept Berkshire in the game, at least for the time being.

   Crowe played the supporting role with a solid 44 while Carter worked the ball round well, without ever appearing to play too many attacking shots, to make a top score of 66 off 76 balls.

   Once Andy Procter was bowled out, and two overs from Robert Gear cost 21 runs, Dawson wheeled himself into the attack to break the partnership.

   Crowe fell in Dawson's first over, Foan taking a good catch running on from the boundary, the Carter had his leg-stump pushed back and was gone as well.

   Dawson went on to remove Mark Foster – bowled slogging – and last man Lambert thanks to the quick gloves of keeper Will Hanson to finish with a new personal competition best of four for 32.

   Devon's KO Cup campaign continues this Sunday when they travel to Mumbles to play Wales.

   Berkshire 210 (R P Carter 66, C P Crowe 44, C J Ellison 38; R I Dawson 4-32, N D Hancock 3-34, T S Anning 3-34), Devon 212-5 (R I Dawson 46, D F Lye 40no, N D Hancock 35, D G Court 39). Devon bt Berkshire by 5 wkts.