DEVON U12 boys maintained their 100 per cent start to the season after beating a strong Gloucestershire side by seven wickets at Clifton College.
Having won the toss on a green pitch which hinted of assistance to the bowlers but with short boundaries skipper Harry Passenger asked Gloucestershire to bat.
It proved the correct decision as Devon made early inroads into the Gloucestershire batting, aided by some indifferent running and loose strokeplay.
A super catch at slip by Jack Whittaker off the bowling of Harry Pryce was followed by another good catch by Ed Butler at square- leg to give Jack Whittaker. A wicket.
A direct hit by James Tyler at cover had the hosts reeling at 8-3.
Solomon Dark continued to play positively and was able to add 37 for the fourth wicket before Ed Butler bowled Hayden Wood.
A smart piece of fielding off his own bowling saw Dark run out for a quick fire 41.
Skipper Passenger (2-21) introduced leg-spinner Jacob Kopparambil (3-19) and despite a last-wicket partnership of 28 the pair shared the final five wickets.
The Gloucestershire innings closed in the 36th over, 131 all out.
There were two more good catches for Whittaker and one for Pryce.
Most pleasing for manager, Warren Carr and coach James Carr was the concession of only four extras, - a great effort on a very windy day.
Devon’s reply was solid as openers Cameron Ford and Jake Pascoe continued their fine form adding 55 for the first wicket before Ford was out caught off a leading edge.
Pascoe was joined by Lawrence Walker and a further 24 was added before an error in judgment calling for a second run blind by Walker saw him run out for a run a ball 18.
The quick loss of Alec Holifield proved a minor setback as Pascoe was joined by Matt Jeacock and the pair added 51 to take Devon to victory by 7 wickets.
Pascoe finished unbeaten on 64.
