- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
Devon qualified for this year’s finals at Moseley Cricket Club (Warwickshire) after topping Performance Group D with an impressive record of P8 W6 L1 T1.
The four counties that qualified were the same as 2013, with Devon drawn to play Sussex (2013 Champions) and Lancashire to play Warwickshire in the Semi-Finals on Thursday 29th August.
Even before the first match Devon suffered a double injury blow with our Captain, Cait O’Keefe, being ruled out of the finals by the ECB due to an ongoing Thumb injury and Jessie Jones declared unfit for the first game due to an injury suffered in a representative football match on the day before (the perils of dual sports!).
Thursday 29th August - Semi-Final v. Sussex
Sussex won the toss and decided to bat even though the outfield was still wet from the overnight rain. Devon started well with Annabel Squire and Sophie Mackenzie reducing Sussex to 24-2 after 11, which included removing the dangerous Izzy Collis to a great catch by wicket keeper Kelly. Devon continued to bowl and field well as unit and in the 33rd over were very much in the box seat with Sussex at 98-8 and struggling. Unfortunately the ability to knock over the last 2 wickets deserted us again and they recovered to post a challenging total of 150, which included 38 extras (too many?).
Devon started the pursuit with composure and good shot selection, which had been the hallmark of our early performances in the season, and reached 73-2 at drinks. Sophie Mackenzie and Ali Kelly (Captain) putting on 52 for the 2nd wicket. This game was going to be settled by the team that could hold their nerve in the remaining 22 overs. Devon continued to make good progress and reached 122-4 at the end of the 30th over, but then the wheels fell off against two spinners backed up by some good wicket keeping and ground fielding. Devon collapsed to 131 all out in the 37th over with our last 5 batsman failing to trouble the scorer. The game ended with a moment reminiscent of the 2005 Ashes moment with Flintoff and Lee at Edgbaston – Kelly’s superb batting effort, which deserved more, had got us so close to victory. The dejection and frustration in the dressing room afterwards was plain to see. So it was the 3rd/4th play off on Friday for us.
Sussex 150 ao in 44.1 overs (Horton 2-32, Bowden 2-30 and M. Squire 2-35)
Devon 131 ao in 36.3 overs (Kelly 48no, Mackenzie 34 and O. Jones 17)
Friday 30th August – 3rd/4th Play Off v. Warwickshire
The question was “could we lift ourselves for the match after yesterday’s disappointment”.
Warwickshire won the toss and decided to bat. Devon started poorly and looked flat in the field for the first 22 overs of the match in which time Warwickshire moved to 61-1. The only highlight being Annabel Squires bowling spell of 9-0-18-1. It was time for some harsh words from the management team at the rain and then drinks break. The response from the girls was telling and with a workwoman like performance they kept Warwickshire to 130-9 in their 45 overs. It could have been a much lower score if we had started from ball 1! A special mention to Jessie Jones who hobbled her way through the innings to make a telling contribution with the ball.
Time for the batters to step up and win the game. A change to the opening partnership led to 52 being put on the board by Milly Squire and Gemma Lancaster in 15 overs. The forecasted rain duly arrived, but the Umpires deserve credit for keeping the match going until the 20th over to ensure a result could be achieved, albeit rain affected. A top order wobble in the batting saw us reach 75-4 after 20 overs, which put us 16 runs ahead of the required score after 20 overs. The rain persisted and with common sense on all sides the match was abandoned with Devon being declared winners on run rate. Securing 3rd place was a good feeling, but it very much felt like a chance had been missed.
Sussex defeated Lancashire in the final and retained the title for another year.
Warwickshire 130-9 in 45 overs (Bowden 2-19, Clements and J. Jones 2-21)
Devon 75-4 in 20 overs (Lancaster 19 and M. Squire 17)
Devon’s squad for the finals was Ali Kelly (Captain & WK), Milly Squire, Annabel Squire, Gemma Lancaster, Sophie Mackenzie, Lauren Bowden, Jessie Jones, Olivia Jones, Jemma Horton, Ellie Balsdon, Lydia Clements, Emma Jackman and Cait O’Keefe.
For half the squad it was their last age group matches for Devon and the management team wish them well for the future. The remaining squad members and those moving up from the Under 15s now have the task of reaching the 2015 finals – YOU CAN DO IT!
A big thank you must also go to Jackie Lancaster who has been our scorer for the past 2 years. A true whizz with the coloured pens!
You can watch a short video from ECB TV of the Finals at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIbu0QHGQdo&feature=youtu.be