Devon Women suffer heavy defeat to Wales

SCORECARD

After a convincing win against Essex in their last outing in the Royal London Women’s County Championship Devon Women came down to earth with a bump and a heavy defeat against Wales Women at Usk CC on Sunday.

 After choosing to bat, Wales bowled tightly and Devon lost their first wicket in the third over, Aylish Cranstone bowled by an in-swinging Yorker from Fi Wynne. It wasn't long before Jodie Dibble went too, too early on a drive, giving a simple catch straight to cover. Rosalie Fairbairn was off the mark straight away but left a delivery from Anwen Morgan to see her stump knocked out of the ground, leaving Devon 6-3. One run later Alli Kelly was bowled, and Cait O'Keefe followed just a few balls later, with Devon in real trouble on 7-5. Amanda Higginbotham and Sophie Mackenzie steadied the ship and took Devon past double figures, a vital 22-run partnership, before Higginbotham was dismissed. Devon’s u17 girls captain Lauren Bowden played steadily to build another partnership, with Mackenzie, before Mackenzie was disappointingly out caught off a full toss for 19. Bowden continued to impress with a positive innings with Becca Silk until she was bowled by Wales captain Claire Thomas, who ended with four wickets. Hazelle Garton and Rebecca Donohue unfortunately didn't last long and Devon were all out for 80 in 35 overs.  It was impressive display from Wales, whose seamers bowled in great areas and spinners were tight and made it hard to score.

Devon's bowlers knew they had to hit their areas from ball one but gave a few too many freebies early on, full tosses and no-balls allowed Wales to get off to a good start. Hazelle Garton's left arm spin pulled it back, nipping a quick wicket, that of Gabby Basketter, but Wales found the wicket more batting friendly and with such a small total to chase it wasn't long - despite lunch falling with 16 required, one of the loveable quirks of cricket - before Lauren Parfitt hit the winning runs, finishing 36 not out.

Devon will need to up their game with both bat and ball before they meet Nottinghamshire at Sidmouth Cricket Club on 12 June. 

Devon 80 AO (L Bowden 20, S Mackenzie 19, C Thomas 4-11, F Wynne 3-14, A Morgan 2-0) lost to Wales 81 for 1 (L Parfitt 36no) by 9 wickets