Joe Du'Gay - top scored for Devon U14s against Cornwall

DEVON beat Cornwall by 135 runs in their penultimate ECB Royal London Cup game.

Victory confirmed the counties spot in the top division next season, and they go in to their final game against Dorset with a chance of finishing second in their group.

Put in on a damp and sometimes spiteful pitch, Devon produced their finest batting performance of the season.

Openers Josh Farley and Jack Ford set the tone with 66 off the first 15 overs, before Farley was dismissed for 17.New-ball burst - Charlie Ward attacks the crease

Ford, revelling in conditions on his home ground, was joined by captain Joe Du’Gay. Their partnership was 70 in less than 13 overs before Ford (74) perished having scored his maiden county 50.

Du’Gay continued on his way reaching a season’s best 84, at exactly a run a ball, before he was dismissed in the 46th over with the score on 239.

Du’Gay ably aided and abetted by Ben Beaumont with two big sixes in his 26-ball 34.

Taylor Ingham-Hill (17no) and Charlie Ward (13no) took the score past 300 in the final overs, a remarkable performance on a wicket that not been easy to bat on.

After tea Sonny Baker and Ward took advantage of the new ball, both taking wickets in their opening spell to put Cornwall on the back foot at 23-2. Ben French (76) steadied the side for the visitors, but he introduction of leggie Josh Farley and off spinner Jack Ford saw the noose tightened.

Farley and Ford worked their way steadily through the opposition, supported by some sharp catches and out fielding.

Cornwall were dismissed for 169 in the 39th over. Farley had fine figures of 4-37 from his 10 overs. Ford confirmed his man of the match credentials with 3-18 from eight overs.