DEVON U15s made it seven wins out of seven when they beat neighbours Cornwall in their latest ECB national county cup competition clash at rainy and wind-swept North Devon – although they almost blew it.

In a match reduced to 28 overs, Cornwall were asked to bat first. Cornwall finished on 112-9 with medium-quickie Cole Harford (2-14) and spinners Sam Read (2-19) and Freddie Ford (2-13) among the wickets.

The run chase should have not proved too difficult and Devon were nicely placed at 94-3 thanks to opener Abraham Kopparambil (21) and Ollie Hannam (46).

A flurry of crazy shots and mad run-outs saw Devon lose five wickets for just 20 runs. They just stumbled to victory for the loss of eight wickets with seven balls to go.

Jim Parker, the team manager, said: “The squad has done remarkably well this season with just one cup game to go in Berkshire on Sunday and a national quarter-final place already sealed.

“But the Cornwall game proved there are always lessons to be learned.”

Cornwall 112-9 (Harford 2-14, Read 2-19, Ford 2-13), Devon 114-8 (Hannam 46, Kopparambil 21). Devon won weather-reduced game by two wickets.