- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
Devon Retain Southern Counties Title
| Southern Counties Retained |
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On the way to Axminster there was a similar feel to the previous Friday when the squad travelled up to Wiltshire only for the game to be called off. The clouds were higher but a large band of rain was evident on the A303. If Devon were to retain the title it was essential the game was played. Fortunately it was bright sunshine when entering the ground but the cloud cover was building up to the west. Indeed a heavy shower delayed the start and four overs were deducted so it would be a 48 over game. The build up to the game had not been an easy one. Over half the side had reported flu symptoms. Vice captain, Justin Yau, who was away with the Midlands with the 16s took over with daily health checks although at one stage he had 13 players! One of the players was Matt Cooke who has not featured at twenty-ones for a couple of seasons due to work commitments but it really was a delight that his boss allowed him to make one final appearance. He would always have been one of the first names on the team sheet if he had been available. Fortunately only twelve turned up with Porter and Sam Smith not fit enough. The captain did attend and his understudy won the toss and inserted Wiltshire. With the first ball of his second over Ross Acton bowled Wilson. Young and Miles added 26 for the second wicket taking the score up to 32 after twelve overs. Gary Chappell had now replaced William Gater to commence a really special spell of spin bowling. He took a wicket with his second ball when he bowled Miles, eleventh ball the diving Matt Thompson caught Mullen, thirteenth ball he had Phillips leg before, his twenty-third ball was edged by Kelly to the keeper. Chappell's figures were now 4-5 and Wiltshire had lost four wickets in the thirties, three of them on 39. One run later Chris Metters had Pittman caught behind. Opener Young had been watching at the non strikers end and added 20 with Tom Bowler when he became Chappell's final victim - leg before. Chappell bowled two more maidens to end with the fine figures of 10-6-15-5 to complete the best return at under 21s. Wiltshire staged a major recovery thanks to Bowlers performance. He was unbeaten on 39 after spending 72 minutes at the crease facing 68 balls. . Matt Cooke had replaced Chappell and on 71 removed Pitman to give Yau his third catch, Joe Thompson had Brown brilliantly caught by the diving Chappell at slip. Twenty-eight were added for the last wicket which from Devon's viewpoint was not good cricket when the captain completed another very competent display behind the stumps when Cook brought forward Maloney and Yau did the rest. 108 all out off 45.2 overs.
Tea was not ready so Devon batted for six overs. The two D's Hardy and Hefford scored at 5.67. After the interval they took the score up to 71 when Daniel was leg before to Wilson. He had needed to score 49 to set a milestone in the 21s statistics, he was 19 short - hopefully he will be around next year. Duncan should have created his own personal milestone - a maiden county fifty but with the score now 83 he was bowled ten short. A eight wicket win was the obvious target with just 26 needed. The captain was now giving the leavers a chance which is a fine sentiment provided it does not affect the final result. Kingdon slashed and was caught and the captain followed suit both had batted for three balls victims to Wilson who had also removed Hardy. Fortunately Ross Acton who had come in at three and Matt Cooke kept their heads and the one hundred and ninth run was scored off the second ball of the twenty-fourth over. All's well that ends .............. In many ways this was a disappointing way to retain the Southern Counties title, albeit Devon were the only undefeated county but due to three rained of games to Cornwall's one they had to share it with our near neighbors. Hopefully there will be no repeat of the accusation of last year that we sneaked the title. This was the last game for Porter, Yau, Acton and Cooke. All have been very loyal and most importantly supportive to |
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