CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING FROM SIDMOUTH CC

DAN Goodey’s explosive innings of 31 in just 10 balls proved the difference between winning by 20 runs and losing to Cornwall in Devon’s NCA Ko Cup qualifier at Sidmouth.

A place in the last eight of the competition beckons for Devon, who will be away to Dorset at a venue to be confirmed in the quarter-finals.

“That’s quite a turnaround from where we were after the first group game against Berkshire, which we lost by 10 wickets,” said Devon team chief Dave Tall.

“After that drubbing, and the defeat by Hertfordshire, when we did not do ourselves justice, it shows the character of the team to raise their game for a must-win match.”

Devon recovered from losing openers Sam Read and Elliot Hamilton cheaply to reach 184 for five with 10 of their 50 overs to go. Matt Thompson (77) and James Horler (33) ground out runs in the middle overs then Calum Haggett and Ned Leonard pressed the accelerator as time ticked down.

When Haggett (66) was dismissed four overs out by Ben Ellis in went paceman Goodey and the fireworks began.

Goodey, dropped second ball out on the mid-wicket boundary, took Ellis apart by hitting him for four sixes and taking a two in one over. When wides were factored in, Ellis conceded 32 runs in seven balls.

Leonard, who powerful striking of the ball brought him 51 off 33 deliveries, went in the final over having been involved in partnerships that added 118 towards Devon’s final total of 290 for nine.

Cornwall chased to the bitter end via a wobbly 99 for five to 253 for seven - and had Max Tryfonos not been run-out for 93 with 41 still needed the outcome could have been different. 

Scoring at 10 an over for the final four overs was too much of an ask for Cornwall’s tail-enders, who only got as far as 270 before Adam Snowdon was the last man out. 

Jamie Stephens, the Devon captain, said there were a number of praiseworthy performances with the bat. But Goodey’s was the standout.

“I thought 260-270 was par on that pitch, but thanks to Goodey and Ned Leonard we got up to 290 and that was a big part of us winning,” said Stephens.

“When you look at Goodey’s 31 off 10 balls, that put the game out of Cornwall’s reach. Never mind the psychological effect of an over costing them 32 runs while he was in.

“Thommo (Matt Thompson) and Calum Haggett set us up quite nicely mid-innings something we have not been doing. And Ned’s 50 off 30 balls was another significant contribution.”

Stephens conceded Devon’s bowling was ‘a bit iffy at times’ which potentially undervalues the great effort Cornwall made to stay in the game.

Every time Devon seemed to be getting on top one of the Cornwall batters intervened to put the game back in the balance.

Joe Phillips made 43 at first wicket down and slipper Paul Smith (24) was just warming up when Haggett and Goodey combined to get him out.

Left-hander Tryfonos – six fours, four sixes, 76 balls – looked on course for what was a potentially  match-winning ton when quick-thinking Devon keeper Thompson ran him out with an underarm roll along the ground.

Dan Lello (29) and Ellis (22) did what they could, but Cornwall did not have wickets in hand for the last push and the ones they had were accounted for by Zac Bess (2-26) to seal a Devon win.

An added bonus was claiming the Peninsula Cup, which was contested for the first time since 2000. John Tolliday, who played for Devon between 1969-1981 and featured in six Peninsula Cup games against Cornwall, made the presentation to Stephens.

Devon 290-5 (M W Thompson 77, C J Haggett 62, J D Horler 33, E O Leonard 51, D J Goodey 31; A W Snowdon 4-55), Cornwall 270 (J P Phillips 43, M M Tryfonos 93, C D Lello 29; D J Goodey 2-33, S Bess 2-26). Devon (2pts) bt Cornwall (0) by 20 runs.