Dorset v Devon at Dorchester 7th July 2003

Scorecard

Devon completed a very workmanlike performance in their first game in the new ECB Under 21 Competition when they defeated Dorset by 190 runs. At the county town ground of Dorchester on winning the toss Dorset invited Devon to bat and openers Richard Foan and Tom Wright set the tone for the day with a run a ball stand of 68 in 43 minutes. Foan was the first to be dismissed for 30 having hit 5 of his 35 balls for four. He was replaced by his Sandford colleague Neil Bettiss, who two days earlier had been involved in a serious motor accident that had ruled out his keeper batsman brother Marc. Wright quickly became Green’s and Carter’ second victim as he too was caught behind for 39 (6 fours and a six) as Devon dipped to 75-2 and this became 86-3 as debutante Matt Gitsham was trapped in front. Bettiss and Rob Holman put on 34 before Bettiss walked past one from Keates to become Carters third victim for 27 off 29 with two fours. The cameos continued with Holman and Aaron Williams putting on 30 when after 28 overs Holman was caught for 30. Forty-seven were put on for the sixth wicket as Williams was joined by Bobby Dawson and the pair pushed on with excellent running. Williams was the first Devon batter to face 40 balls and then decided his time was up and gave Park his second catch. He stroked four fours in his 32. Dawson was now dominating as the captain Trevor Anning and Steve Edmonds were to be his next partners as they helped advance the score to 219 after 43 overs. A forty ball unbroken partnership of 53 between Dawson and Nick Watkin, who had stood in at the eleventh hour to replace his under 17 vice captain Marc Bettiss, took the score to an impressive 272. Watkin missed out on one ball but otherwise scored at a run a ball to give Dawson the strike. Dawson’s performance was of the highest quality as he took 74 balls to score his undefeated 83 in 70 minutes hitting six fours and two sixes.

Matt Theedom set Dorset back with a first over that left them 2-2 with a slip catch to Anning and Watkin taking a catch behind. The runs courtesy of a no ball. From then on it was up hill for the home side despite a second wicket partnership of 47 between the captain Lawes and Lewis who was going to bat for four minutes over the hour. Lawes was to become the first of Edmonds two victims as he was Dawson's first catch at slip. The fourth wicket pairing advanced the score by 16 when Watkins caught Lewis down the leg side off Edmonds .

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