Devon Cricket Board - Batsmen disappoint as Devon dip to defeat + report & podcast

Batsmen disappoint as Devon dip to defeat + report & podcast

SUNDAY, APRIL 18

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DEVON’S batting let them down as they slipped to a 44-run defeat against Cardiff UCCE at Exmouth.
   Cardiff made 230 for seven in 50 overs – Matt Smith top scoring on 74 – then bowled Devon out for 186 in reply with more than 14 overs to go.
   It was Devon’s last warm-up game before the serious stuff starts with a MCCA Cup game against Berkshire at the same venue next Sunday.
   Sadly, some of Devon’s batters failed to make the best of their time in the middle on a glorious day for cricket on bone-hard track.
   Rob Holman top scored with 72 from 88 balls having gone in at first wicket down after opener Richard Foan gave his wicket away with a rash shot and played on/.
   There was a catalogue of calamity among the next few arrivals as Bob Dawson, David Lye and Sandy Allen made just six runs between them.
   Dawson drilled a trademark four through extra-cover, the dollied the next ball up to Devon team-mate and Cardiff student Seb Benton at short-cover.
   Lye was lbw to a ball that nipped back into him extravagantly while Allen lasted four balls before he was caught behind.
   Holman finally got some worthwhile support from Dan Bowser, whose 34 was the only other double-figure score of the innings.
   Bowser and Holman put on 57 for the sixth wicket to stop the students running away with the game.
   The stand ended when Bowser got a full-length ball from Tom Warner, who took three wickets in three overs for seven runs to put Devon on the back foot again.
   Holman batted through to the end and was last man out – the third and final scalp for paceman Stuart Ransley.
   Overall, not a great day for Devon, although there were some plusses when they bowled and fielded.
   Spinners Chris Bradley took three for 38 in 10 overs, a combination of accuracy and wicket-taking that makes him a must to play against Berkshire, It will be an overdue county debut for the consistent wicket-taker from Bovey Tracey.
   Trevor Anning – three wickets for 15 runs – looked sharp with the new ball.
   Keeper Matt Thompson, an U21 graduate given a late summons into the squad as injury cover, showed why Sussex and Essex are showing an interest in him with four catches – the last a diving reaction effort low to his right.

   Cardiff UUCCE 230-7 (M A Jones 74, S R Benton 38; C Bradley 3-38, T S Annning 3-15), Devon 186 (R J Holman 72, D J Bowser 34; S M Ransley 3-18, S Moore 3-23, T Warner 3-51). Cardiff UCCE bt Devon by 44 runs.

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