Devon Cricket Board - Devon dip out by nine runs

Devon dip out by nine runs

MINOR COUNTIES KO CUP QUARTER-FINAL

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DEVON’S dreams of making it to a Lord’s final in the Minor Counties KO Cup ended when Hertfordshire beat them by nine runs in a thrilling semi-final at Sidmouth.

Hertfordshire made 287 for six in 50 overs – opener Eddy Ballard batting through for an unbeaten 113.

Devon set off in hot pursuit with James Burke making a half-century, Rob Woodman 41 and four more batters going past 30.

It came down to 88 to win from the last 10 overs, 48 off five and 15 off two, but with only two wickets in hand.

Last pair Chris Bradley and Scott Barlow went into the final over needing 10 to win. Bradley was dismissed first ball when he drove Nick Walker straight to cover.

So disappointment for Devon, who lost to the same opposition at the same stage of the competition last year.

Hertfordshire will go through to face Cambridgeshire in next month’s semi-final with Lord’s the prize for the winners.

Devon may have lost, but they contributed fully to a cracking game of cricket. When the dust has settled the team management will probably feel the game got away from them in the field.

Unforced errors and lack of bowling discipline certainly didn’t help, although Herts had their problems in that area too. When Jamie Hewitt was hoisted for three sixes in the 45th over, Devon looked the likely winners.

Woodman and Burke got Devon off to a 78-run stand as the Herts’ seamers struggled for a breakthrough.

Bringing ex-Middlesex man Hewitt into the attack did the trick as he flattened Woodman’s off-stump.

Burke and David Lye pressed on to reach 130 at the halfway stage. In the over after drinks, Burke fell lbw to Nick Lamb.

Lye went next at 156 – brilliantly caught by Hewitt at short mid-wicket off Ben Frazer.

It went quite for a while after that as new pair Bob Dawson and Josh Bess settled in. Then, as the asking rate crept into 10-an-over territory, the batsmen cut lose.

Lamb went for 13 in an over and Frazer’s next one cost 11, which left a target of 88 to win and10 overs to get them.

What looked like a body blow at the time was Dawson and Bess going in the space of four balls to Lamb.

Dawson (35) tried to hit over top and was caught by Hewitt sliding on from long-on. When Bess tried a similar shot, Frazer caught him one-handed running in from the long-off boundary.

Skipper Neil Hancock started quietly, then opened up to make a quick 31. Two sixes off Hewitt helped.

Sandy Allen made 12 – great catch at mid—wicket removed him – then Ian Bishop went for 12 to an even better catch on the run.

Last man Chris Bradley was bowled at the start of the final over by Nick Walker to give Herts victory.

What Devon needed was someone to bat through as Ballard did - and for all their hard work that cost them the game.

Hertfordshire 287-6 (E C Ballard 113no, D J Blacktop 57, N G Walker 40; C Bradley 2-47,I E Bishop 2-26). Innings closed at 50 overs.

Devon 278 (J E Burke 50, D F Lye 31, R I Dawson 22no R J Woodman 41, N D Hancock 31, J J Bess 30; W D Rudge 3-37). Herts bt Devon by 9 runs.

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