After the wash out the previous day, Devon opted to insert Scotland after winning the toss at a grey and gloomy Axminster. A steady start by the Scottish girls was halted after opener Bascombe was bowled by Cait O’Keefe. The experienced Kari Anderson came to the crease and set about the re-building task , however the dismissal of Smailling, stumped by Amara Carr off the bowling of Hazelle Garton left the Scots at 56-2. A 58 run partnership then followed as Leigh Kasperek supported Anderson well and at one point a total of over 200 was likely, until the introduction of Rebecca Bertrand brought about the vital wicket of Anderson, dismissed by a fine catch by Bertrand from her bowling for 58. The immediate run out of Kathryn White looked to give the Devon girls the edge, however a Kasperek dug in to play a patient innings to help steer the visitors to a total of 186 all out when she was last out stumped off the bowling of Lydia Harris as Carr claimed a hat trick of stumpings. Rebecca Donohue came back to claim two well deserved wickets after a fine opening spell yielded close calls but no wickets.
A blistering start by openers Carr and Aylish Cranstone saw Devon race to 38 inside 4 overs. Carr was then given out caught and bowled to a ball that in all reality should have been called a no ball. Cranstone and Becky Bertrand then added a further 42 until Bertrand was caught behind. With just over a hundred needed then followed a quite bizarre twenty minutes of cricket as the hosts slipped to 72-5 losing three more wickets with none of the batsmen troubling the scorer. Hazelle Garton looked in good nick and helped Cranstone take the score past 100 but but shouldn’t really have attempted a second run and was run out to again leave Devon in trouble. It was then a tail of two Becky’s as first Becky Piddock added 32 with Cranstone for the seventh wicket and then Becca Donohue helped add 36 for the 9th wicket. Clara Nielson then held her nerve to and helped Devon over the line. A great knock from Aylish and a victory finally accomplished although made to look difficult when in reality should have a been simple a run chase. Credit must go to the lower order for their application and allowing Aylish to steer the side home. The side played better at Lancashire only to lose, strange game, cricket.
