Devon Cricket Board - Devon Women maintain 50:50 record

Devon Women maintain 50:50 record

Devon continued their pre-season friendly fixtures with an away weekend with fixtures against Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire respectively. Still shorn of several key players, the side were able to put in two further creditable performances against sides from higher Divisions.

Devon v Warwickshire, 24th April, King Edward VI School

Against Warwickshire, Devon asked their hosts to bat first but despite the early wicket of Helen Shipman Devon’s bowling lacked penetration on a good hard batting surface. Encouragingly there was two wickets for Jodie Dibble on her return from injury and Lydia Harris bowled 5 economical overs for just 15 runs. Rebecca Donohue was unlucky not to pick up a wicket as she finished with 0-26 from her seven overs. Devon looked to ensure that their youngsters all got a bowl as Warwickshire posted 224-4 from their 45 overs. Missing several key batsmen, devon opted to have batting practice and use their full allocation. Lottie Miles and Lydia Harris both made 30 and there was useful time at the crease for Jodie Dibble and Hannah Singleton as Devon closed on 117-6. Full Scorecard

Warwickshire 224-4 from 45 overs (E. Smart 70*, F. Clarkson 54, A. Jones 34; J. Dibble 2-48, C. Mitcham 1-17) Devon 117-6 from 45 overs (L. Harris 30, C. Miles 30; N. Patel 2-15, M. Alsop 1-5). Warwickshire beat Devon by 107 runs

Devon v Nottinghamshire, 25th April, Ransome & Marles CC

There followed a trip up to Grantham for an overnight stay prior to facing Division 1 side Nottinghamshire at Ransome & Marles CC. Devon welcomed back Vicky Bowden and Giselle Ansley and after winning the toss opted to put Notts in on a damp looking wicket after some overnight rain. Devon made a bright start removing both openers early with a direct hit from Giselle Ansley getting a run out and Rebecca Donohue clean bowling the opener. There followed a half century from former England keeper Jane Smit who shared in decent stands with Abbie Hawkins and Charlotte Horton. Once both were removed by the impressive Donohue and Clara Nielson she was left to take Notts to a good total. A needless run out gave the initiative to Devon who managed to restrict their hosts to 168-5 from their allotted overs. Some fine all round bowling. Rebecca Donohue picking up 2-26 from 9 and Clara Nielson 1-20 from 8 coupled with 9 overs for 35 runs from young spinner Lydia Harris were the highlight.

Devon made a measured response with Lydai Harris and Vicky Bowden adding 60 for the first wicket, before Bowden fell caught in the gully as she attempted to increase the rate for a well made 44 with some impressive straight drives in her innings. Giselle Ansley was pushed up the order and she responded well as she dominated a half century stand with Harris before being unluckily run out at the non-strikers end for 47. Harris fell trying to get a move on and Jodie Dibble was looking good before alos being run out attempting a second that was never there. It was left to skipper Lottie Miles and her fellow Exeter University student Claire Ramsay to see Devon home as they ran out victors by 6 wickets for a well deserved win that will give them a lot of confidence for the coming season. Full Scorecard

Nottinghamshire 168-5 from 45 overs (J. Smit 57, S. Willems 27; R. Donohue 2-24, C. Nielson 1-20) Devon 169-4 from 42.1 overs (G. Ansley 47, V. Bowden 44, C. Miles 27*; H. Garton 1-25, C. Horton 1-25) Devon beat Nottinghamshire by 6 wickets

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773