2003 ESCA Festival Report

Kings College - Taunton

Devon finish third at ESCA Festival

Devon went to the ESCA Festival in confident mood after losing just one of their matches prior to arriving at Kings Taunton.

The opening day saw Devon up against Herefordshire and on a wet track opted to leave out spinners Matt Clarke and Henry McEndoo. In not bowling their front line seam track Devon were banking on chasing the total that Herefordshire would post. They made 192-8. In reply Devon were cruising at 118-1 with Luke Bess and James Burke at the crease. Unfortunately both departed in quick succession and the middle order collapsed to leave Heather Knight stranded with the tail. They managed to scramble to 182 but the regular loss of wickets left them ten short of victory as they closed on 182-9.

Day two brought Somerset and with it the chance for the batting to redeem itself. Once again though it was Luke Bess and James Burke who were to dominate as they shared a stand of over 80 for the second wicket. Luke Bess eventually went for 41 as James Burke carried on to make an unbeaten 77 as once again the middle order failed to function. Devon did however have a potent bowling line up and Adam Dibble duly responded takng 4-24. He was supported well by Chris Metters, James Burke and Henry McEndoo who all took two wickets. Matt Clarke kept things tight and Shane Evenden bowled very well without much luck as Devon secured their first win.

Kent were the opposition on Wednesday, widely regarded as potential winners of the competition. Devon opted to bowl and performed well in restricting a side who had scored 240 and 280 previously to 186-9. Adam Dibble once again picked up four wickets with two apiece for Shane Evenden and Chris Metters. At last the batting performed as a unit with four of the top five making good contributions. After Luke Bess and James Burke were dismisses, Devon still required well over a hundred for victory. Sam Smith and Mark Gilmour came together to see Devon home with an unbroken 3 rd wicket partnership. A very satisfying victory against a very good side to leave Devon top of the group on Wednesday evening.

Thursday brought a fresh challenge and the daunting prospect of Lancashire who had lost a thriller on the opening day against Kent. Devon stuck to their guns and kept Lancashire below 200 with another fine bowling display despite the loss of Noah Hillyard with a broken finger. Shane Evenden grabbed four wickets, just rewards for his efforts over the last three days. Jack Hockin picked up two wickets, whilst there was a wicket apiece for Adam Dibble and Matt Clarke.

The batting ghosts returned in plenty though as Devon never came to terms with a very vocal and aggressive Lancashire fielding effort as they were dismissed for 60 to slide a 121 run defeat.

Any chance of redemption against Shropshire on Friday was soon extinguished as rain fell to wash the last days play out. Devon finished third in what was a tough group and experienced the highs and lows of cricket with two good wins and a heavy defeat demonstrating what a wonderful game cricket can be.

ESCA Results

Herefordshire 192-8 (Sam Smith 1-22, Will Denford 1-31, Noah Hillyard 1-29, Luke Bess 1-24, Jack Hockin 1-37, Mark Gilmour 1-33)

Devon 182-9 (James Burke 55, Luke Bess 38, Heather Knight 19 no, Shane Evenden 16)

Match drawn

Devon 193-8 (James Burke 77 no, Luke Bess 41)

Somerset 153 all out (Adam Dibble 4—24, Chris Metters 2-34, James Burke 2-36, Henry McEndoo 2-12)

Devon won by 40 runs

Kent 186-9 (Adam Dibble 4-22, Shane Evenden 2-9, Chris Metters 2-31)

Devon 187-3 (Sam Smith 58 no, Mark Gilmour 41 no, Luke Bess 37, James Burke 25)

Devon won by 7 wickets

Lancashire 191-8 (Shane Evenden 4-22, Jack Hocking 2-40, Matt Clarke 1-15, Adam Dibble 1-31)

Devon 60 all out

Lancashire won by 121 runs

Shropshire – Match abandoned - rain