DEVON U15s can leave South Africa with their heads held high after a spirited and fantastic effort against Western Province in their final game at the Vinyard Oval.
No Devon team has beaten the Province side in 18 years of touring. But this year they came mighty close
Ethan Carlisle (3-11) and skipper Jasper Presswell (2-36) helped restrict the home side to 219 after they made a strong start and looked to be setting Devon a far tougher total.
Having reached 196 for four – Jaques Jooste top scoring on 73 not out – Western Province collapsed against Carlisle and Presswell as six wickets fell for 14 runs added
Sam Russell (20) and Presswell (21) made valuable contributions early on but it was Joe Farmer and Josh Couch who had the home supporters biting their nails
Farmer (23) and Couch (46) put on 87 for the sixth wicket to get Devon so far yet so near to the Province total
But Farmer and then Couch went two runs apart in the exciting run chase. Devon finished agonisingly all out with three balls to go and just 10 runs short of victory.A great end to a fantastic tour.
Devon are due to arrive home from Cape Town in Birmingham on Sunday.
