DEVON moved closer to the knockout stages of the Unicorns Trophy after cruising to a five-wicket win over Oxfordshire at Sidmouth.
Unbeaten group leaders Berkshire need to slip up horrifically in their last game against Dorset not to qualify as their net run rate is vastly superior to any of the teams who can catch them.
Devon need to beat Cornwall at Werrington this Sunday, which might not be enough on its own to ensure qualification if Dorset defeat Berkshire in their last match.
Devon, Dorset and Berkshire could all finish the group stage on three wins each, in which case run rate will be the deciding factor. Devon’s is marginally superior to Dorset’s, but worse than Berkshire’s.
Devon did most things better than Oxfordshire yesterday in every department.
The hyper critical might say Devon weren’t always at their sharpest in the field, but when you dismiss the opposition for 185 five overs early in a 50-over match that is being a bit picky.
Oxfordshire reached 114 for three after a struggle – Lloyd Sabin (39) and the dependable Richard Kaufman (31) the main run getters – and with wickets in hand would have hoped to press on in the last 20 overs. It didn’t happen.
Tight spin bowling by Jamie Stephens, whose two for 28 eclipsed Somerset’s Dom Bess at the other end, put pressure on the batters, which forced them to take chances.
Wickets fell in clusters - 114 for three became 120 for six in the main one – with no real prospect of recovery.
A double burst by Hugh Whitlock in his second spell ended the tail-end resistance.
Devon set off at a cracking pace, led by openers Rob Woodman and Liam Lewis.
When Woodman went on 64 for 39, the signs looked ominous for Oxfordshire.
Losing Alex Barrow first ball didn’t phase Devon, who just got on with the job in hand.
Lewis combined caution with aggression to make 75 not out off 112 balls in the anchorman role.
Along the way to victory there were stands of 64 with Ben Green (32) and 47 with Finlay Trenouth (22).
Matt Golding clubbed John West for six to win the match with more than four overs to spare.
Keith Donohue, Devon’s director of cricket, felt the margin and manner of victory fitted the game.
“Once we bowled them out for 185 we were in the driving seat, but still had to finish things off,” said Donohue.
“Rob Woodman is a lively character and brought something to our fielding as well as a brilliant catch on the boundary.
“Jamie Stephens justified his selection by the way he bowled and I was pleased Hugo Whitlock got some wickets he deserved.
“Liam Lewis batted superbly, just right in the context of the game.
“He is a destructive batsman when he gets going, but tempered his natural instincts in a superb innings.”
Oxfordshire 185 (L M Sabin 39, R I Kaufman 31; H M Whitlock 3-23, M C Golding 2-17, J A Stephens 2-28), Devon 191-5 (R J Woodman 39, L J Lewis 75no; B G F Green 32; L C Ryan 2-26, O Wright 2-32). Devon (2pts) bt Oxfordshire (0) by 5 wkts.
