Devon push holders Berkshire all the way in NCA Trophy quarter-final before bowing out by five wickets

Ben Beaumont, who earned special praise from Dave Tall for his gutsy display

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

DEVON team chief Dave Tall wants to start identifying the marginal gains that will turn his nascent county team into a force to be reckoned with.

Devon’s interest in the National Counties KO Trophy ended in a five-wicket defeat at the hands of holders Berkshire in Sunday’s quarter-final tie at Sidmouth,

Calum Haggett top scored for Devon with 87 in a total of 253 all out, which Berkshire chased down with more than three overs to spare.

Matt Thompson played the early-innings anchorman on the way to a half-century then Haggett and Ben Beaumont (42) put on 88 for Devon’s fifth wicket.

Berkshire were 59 for four in reply at one stage, but 75 from opener Tom Scriven got them through to 148 for five. Euan Woods (75) and Andy Rishton (57) were the not-out batsmen who saw Berkshire into the semi-finals and a date with Wales.Top scorer: Calum Haggett | Photo: Conradcopy

Tall said without being too critical of a side that had exceeded expectations just by reaching the last eight, minor improvements could make a major difference as a team of largely under-20 players develops.

“There were things we could have done better batting and in the field, but overall we gave the best side in National Counties cricket over the past three or four years a tough game,” said Tall.

“We pushed them all the way – some of their lads sought me out at the end of the game to say so – and had we scored another 20-25 runs it could have been different.

“Just for a while we lost our way when we were batting for four or five overs. I don’t know why and that is something to look at.

“In the field we got into a round of fumbles that let them turn nones into ones and ones into twos. 

“And we dropped Woods when four players all waited for someone else to go for the catch. I am not saying it cost us the match, but they would have been 160 for six then, which makes it a different game.

“I know what did not happen a few times in the game and the learning gain for us is working out why?

“Having said all that we scored a competitive total and made a good side work really hard to beat us. 

“There cannot be many sides over the past three or four seasons when Berkshire have won everything there is to win in this sort of cricket who can say they were disappointed not to beat them. We can.

“Our players will have learned from the game, which can only be good for their development.”

Devon went into the game with six under-20s in their XI. These are the players Tall sees as being a cohort to take the county forward. Among them is Beaumont, whom Tall had a special word of praise for.

Beaumont made himself available for the quarter-final tie at Sidmouth despite taking a painful blow on the arm in the three-day game against Herefordshire earlier in the week.

Beaumont was seventh out on 251 for 42 made at better-than-run-a-ball rate. Tall said the innings spoke volumes for the young player’s character.

“Ben sustained a painful blow against Herefordshire and in the same situation other players might have been tempted to take the easy way out and withdraw from the cup game,” said Tall.

“When he went in we needed to keep the momentum going and Ben showed what a scrapper he is by getting stuck in. That says a lot about his character and gives me optimism for the years ahead when players like Ben will be the backbone of the team.”

Devon now turn their attention to red-ball cricket and a three-day game against Wales which starts at Sandford on Sunday.