Sam Read - whacked the Wiltshire bowling<br>credit: @ppauk | no re-use without consent of copyright holder

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

SAM Read’s whirlwind 81 off 52 balls was the highlight of Devon’s six-run win over Wiltshire in the second game of the day at Sidmouth.

Read signalled his intentions by getting off the mark with a four through cover point and added five more and two sixes during his stay.

Sonny Baker - a big over to finish with from Devon's 17-year-old pacemanRead was particularly brutal on Wilshire’s Ed Young, hitting him for four sixes in the space of two overs during a stand of 109 for the second wicket with Jamie Baird, who hurried to 59 off 41 balls.

When Baird was in full cry he harvested 16 runs in one over – all in fours – off Wiltshire’s Conor Taylor.

Devon’s total of 176 for three was sizeable, but for most to Wiltshire’s chase they were up with the asking rate thanks to some belligerent batting from Will Wade, who made an impressive 91 not out off just 50 balls.

Thirteen to win from the final over bowled by 17-year-old paceman Sonny Baker proved just a few too many for Wade and Jack Stearman, who only got as far as 170 for five before the overs ran out.

Dave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, said seeing the teenagers in the side taking responsibility was the big plus from the game.

“Sam Read batted really well and his first scoring shot - a four through cover point - was as good a shot as you will see,” said Tall.

“I asked Zak (captain Zak Bess) to set challenges for the younger players during the game, which he did and they accepted them.

“Getting Sonny to bowl the last over was certainly challenging, but he definitely rose to it.

“He thought about what he wanted, he varied things by coming round the wicket and for a lad of 17 it was a composed performance that could not fail to impress anyone watching.” 

Devon 176-3 (S O Read 81, J W Baird 59), Wiltshire 170-5 (W J Wade 91no, J Goodwin 21; D J Goodey 2-26). Devon bt Wiltshire by 6 runs.