Fabulous performances by the Devon U17s in the first round of the T20 competition at Shaldon Optimists Cricket Club have taken them to the top of their group.

Emma Corney batted beautifully in the first match against Cornwall for her 96 not out in 62 balls. She was ably supported by Daisy Meadowcroft (30) and Rose Ball (33).

Devon completed their 20 overs for 172-4.

With such a total, it appeared that Cornwall were going to have some challenge on their hands. Devon’s opening bowler, Katie Harman (3-1-9-2) was to to claim the first wickets with her double wicket maiden in just the third over and Cornwall were on 14-2.

A catch by keeper, Cassia Astley-Jones off Katie Donovan’s second over left Cornwall three down for 15 runs. 

Though Cornwall did bat their overs, they fell short of Devon’s target and finished on 110-7.

Devon won by 72 runs!

 

The second T20 match of the day was against Somerset, who I the morning had beaten Dorset easily.

Somerset won the toss and elected to bat. Katie Harman (4-0-23-3) bowled well as did Katie Donovan (4-1-8-1) and Somerset’s first four wickets all fell on 18. Keeper, Cassia Astley-Jones once again was quick behind the stumps with three impressive catches. With Somerset’s top order dismissed they did have a middle order recovery and the next wicket off Emma Corney’s bowling wasn’t until Somerset had scored 91 in the sixteenth over. With not enough overs to reach Devon’s total, Somerset fell short and completed on 115-7.

Emma Corney once again batted positively for her 64*, with 8 fours and a six. And though Somerset claimed Becca Halliday’s (7) wicket with a close runout, Devon only required 26.4 over for a 119-4 victory 

Devon won by 6 wickets.