Winning finish for Devon over Somerset in Division Two

Best of enemies! Devon women

DEVON'S women cricketers completed their 2019 season with a tense, two-wicket victory over Somerset at Wombat CC. 

Victory on World Cup final day meant Devon finished fourth in the table. Had the washed-out game against Berkshire gone the distance when Devon were on top, a second-placed finish would have been achieved. 

And had there been promotion available this season, not restructuring of women’s cricket, Devon would have been at the top table for the first time.

An All Stars guard of honour was waiting for both teams when Somerset went out to bat.

Western's Storm Sophie Luff got to 61 before the introduction of Charlie Phillips' off-spin turned the game Devon's way. She removed the first three, including both openers as Somerset slipped to 78 for three.

A catch for Devon keeper Amara Carr took her to 115 victims behind the stumps. Only England's Amy Jones and the retired Jane Smit sit ahead of her. 

Only Emma Godman and Natasha Wraith reached double figures as wickets fell regularly – the second five for 19 runs - with spinner Stephanie Hutchins (3-10) joining the fun.

Phillips finished with three for 21 from her 10 overs with Luff (30) the only batter to go past 20 as Somerset subsided to 137 all out in the 43rdover.

The early loss of Georgia Hennessy looked to have been put aside as Plymouth's Claire Varcoe added 41 for the second wicket with skipper Carr.

Hving dispatched Tilly Bond over square leg for six, Carr was then trapped lbw be Nicole Richards, looking to sweep as fell for a quickfire 16.

During an incredible passage of play four wickets fell as Devon slid from a strong 58 for one to 58 for five.

Devon have worked hard getting runs out of their middle and lower order and saw the benefits as Rebecca Halliday (23) and Becca Silk (28no) kept their nerve to get Devon over the line.

This may have been the end for ECB competitive county cricket this season - and potentially for ever – but the majority of the side have cricket to enjoy.

Skipper Carr will join Sophie Luff once again in the Western Storm KSL side.

Devon also have a fixture against UKAF at Aldershot in August,

The county will also be sending a side to the Women's Academy Festival at Wellington College, Berkshire where they will be up against Surrey, Berkshire, Warwickshire, Middlesex and Essex.

Full scorecard

A guard of honour for Devon as they run out against Somerset at Wombat CC