Hampshire v Devon, Sunday 5th September, Burridge CC
Devon’s Ladies side ensured that the fight for promotion would go right until the end of the season as they beat a spirited Hampshire side striving to maintain their Division 3 status. After losing the toss Devon were asked to bat first on a pitch that had a hint of green in it and also a wet outfield as play was delayed until 1145 because of rain. Devon’s openers made a bright start as Nicole Richards and Vicky Bowden added 67 for the first wicket before Richards was run out from a direct hit as the pair looked to kick on. Bowden and Amara Carr then seemed to be going along sweetly as they added a further 40 in quick time before both fell within the space of two runs, Bowden run out three runs short of a well deserved half century and then Carr missing one as she looked to come down the track and was stumped. At 103-3 with plenty of batting still to come there followed some pretty disappointing dismissals as the Devon middle order lost its way in the chase for more runs and more points, 200+ was looking a likely score with just under 20 overs to go but it was really the lower order who got Devon past 150 to a below par total of 163 all out.
Devon’s bowlers to be fair redeemed the situation, Hazelle Garton continues to impress and her 2-31 from 10 set the tone as Hants struggled to gain any momentum as Nicole Richards was equally impressive with 3-23 from nine overs. A wicket each for seamers, Dibble, Singleton and Donohue coupled with a smart run out engineered from Jodie Dibble and Amara Carr saw Hants all out for 120 to seal a 43 run victory for the visitors.
