Devon Cricket Board - Bess shares credit around after Devon win

Bess shares credit around after Devon win

NEW Devon skipper Josh Bess said the manner of the win over Wiltshire at Exmouth makes him confident for the future.

Bess, two games into the job after taking over from Chris Bradley mid-season, played a key role in turning the game around with bat and ball.

The Sidmouth all-rounder shared in two crucial century stands – both with rising star Rhys Davies – and took wickets when they mattered.

By common consent in the dressing room it was the skipper’s four-wicket salvo in the second innings which knocked the stuffing out of Wiltshire.

Wiltshire were 71 ahead on first innings and threatening to build a big lead before Bess stopped them dead.

There were three wickets each for Trevor Anning and Bradley as Wiltshire were skittled out for 144, leaving Devon a day and a bit to make 216 to win.

Modestly, Bess said the credit lay equally elsewhere, which is one of the reason he is looking ahead with some optimism.

“It is coming out nicely for me at the moment, but all the other bowlers chipped in at some stage,” said Bess.

“Trevor and Chris bowled really well in both innings, Matt Kidd bowled an important second spell on the first day and everyone showed a lot of fight after the first day.

“There were other important scores as well – Sandy Allen in both innings, Trevor and Matt Golding in the first – which makes the point this was a team effort.

“It was the way we fought back overnight after losing wickets late in the first day that makes me believe we have the makings of a good side.”

Devon, set 216 to win in seven overs on Monday night at three full sessions on Tuesday, were wobbling a bit at 55 for four when surviving opener James Toms was caught behind for 28.

Rob Holman had been and gone for 20, Matt Thompson was in and out in two balls and David Lye fell caught behind six balls after taking guard.

Another wicket then would have fuelled Wiltshire’s hopes of ending their long, long wait for a win over Devon. The last was way back in 1968 when they did it by four wickets at Trowbridge.

Skipper Bess and Davies put on 106 in 25 overs to see Devon through the bulk of the chase.

The same pair put on 103 for the sixth wicket in the first innings when Devon had needed rescuing from 73 for five.

Davies was first to depart for 39, which left Bess to bat through to lunch with Matt Golding.

The first ball after the break from Jake Roberts was there to be hit and Bess pulled it straight to Tahir Afridi at long-leg without adding to his 66.

Allen (29no) wrapped up the pursuit with assistance from Matt Golding and Trevor Anning.

Wiltshire 357 (T P A Davies 109, J J Breet 93, H J Langford 60, S F G Bullen 45; J J Bess 3-61, T S Anning 3-70, M J L Kidd 2-48) & 144 (T B Bowler 32; J J Bess 4-36, C Bradley 3-40, T S Anning 3-37), Devon 286 (M W Thompson 34, J J Bess 35, R W Davies 51, A P W Allen 30, T S Anning 32; T G Afridi 3-53, J P Roberts 3-47, T B Bowler 3-51) & 217-7 (J J Bess 66, R W Davies 39, A P W Allen 29no; T G Afridi 3-65, J P Roberts 3-58). Devon (22pts) bt Wiltshire (8) by 3 wkts.
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