Devon Cricket Board - Woodman's big ton puts Devon on top

Woodman's big ton puts Devon on top

Dorset v Devon at Bournemouth

MONDAY, JUNE 13

ROB Woodman dominated proceedings by hammering a maiden Minor Counties century once play finally got under way in Devon’s game against Dorset at Bourmemouth.

The entire first day was lost to bad weather – and there was no prospect of starting on time yesterday morning as the mopping up continued.

After two pitch inspections and an early lunch, play finally got going at 1.30pm when Devon went in to bat after skipper Neil Hancock lost the toss.

Woodman, released by Gloucestershire last season, has already topped 300 runs in one-day cricket for Devon this term.

And the ex-England U19 all-rounder now enjoying a second stint with Devon transferred the same sort of form to the three-day arena finished with 170 in Devon’s 85.1-over total of 333 for eight.

Devon opened up with Torquay’s Matt Thompson and Budleigh’s James Burke, but the all-new combination only yielded seven runs.

Burke got half -forward to a decent ball from Dorset seamer Mark Wolstenholme and got a nick on it through to keeper Chris Park.

Dorset seemed to struggle bowling against two left-handers working in tandem as Thompson and Woodman notched 102 for the second wicket.

Woodman savaged anything with width and was severe on half-volleys, whether coming at him over or around the wicket.

The partnership ended with Thompson, who played the anchorman while Woodman was dashing along, was caught at extra cover.

Woodman went on to reach his century off 151 balls when he lofted left-arm spinner Jack Leach high over long-on for six. It was the second six of his innings, which until then had contained 12 fours.

Woodman kept on going to reach his 150 off 211 balls, during which he put on 52 for the third wicket with Bob Dawson, and 75 with skipper Neil Hancock.

Dawson was third out on 161, chopping spinner Jack Leach into his stumps, followed by Josh Bess to a soft return catch to bowler Matt Metcalfe.

Hancock was happy to be towed along by Woodman until he decided to get on with it and had his off stump flattened by Mark Wolstenhome swinging across the line.

Woodman went on 281 when he ran down the track to Dorset skipper Tom Hicks looking for the dab behind point – and missed. Keeper Chris Park has the bails off in a trice.

Woodman faced 237 balls in total, hitting 17 fours and two sixes, and while it wasn’t entirely chanceless what risks he took were minimal.

Eighth-wicket pair Sandy Allen (31) and Ian Bishop (14). Skipper Hancock decided enough was enough when Bishop holed out to mid-wicket and declared before the 90-over cut off point.

Devon333-8 dec (R J Woodman 170, A P W Allen 31no, M W Thompson 26, N D Hancock 25; T C Hicks 3-86). Devon (4pts), Dorset (3).

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