Devon Women started their Natwest Women’s T20 campaign with 2 wins at Budleigh Salterton on Sunday.

First up was Shropshire, who were asked to bat when Devon won the toss.  The powerplay didn’t start well for Devon, however  14 year old debutant Maddie Hollified did well, bowling out her 4 overs for 17 runs.  Spin was then introduced and Shopshire didn’t have an answer with Hazelle Garton (pictured) and Rebecca Silk taking 7 wickets for 11 runs between them.  Hazelle was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with T20 career best figures of 5 for 4.

Wester Storm players Jodie Dibble and Rosalie Fairbairn then opened the Devon innings and put on 54 before Fairbairn was out for 30 in the 7th over.  Another Storm player Cait O’Keefe joined Dibble and they finished the game in the 10th over without further loss.

Shropshire Women 73 AO (R Mathews 31, Extras 18, H Garton 5-4, R Silk 2-7) Lost to Devon Women 74-1 (J Dibble 30no, R Fairbairn 30, C O’Keefe 9no) by 9 wickets.

In their second game of the day Devon faced local rivals Cornwall - Dibble again won the toss but electing to bat this time.  Once again Dibble and Fairbairn opened the batting and at the end of the powerplay had put on 59.   Dibble was soon out for 27, putting Devon 69-1 after 7 overs.  O’keefe and Fairbairn added another 24 before Fairbairn was out for 49.  Accurate bowling from Cornwall meant Devon’s innings never really kicked on after that and was disappointing with just 3 boundaries from over 10 to 20.  Another 14 year old debutant for Devon, Rebecca Halliday made a confident 15 before getting out on the last ball of the innings, and although a competitive score, the hosts felt they were 20+ short at the half way point.

A poor first over from Devon’s bowlers then unfortunately gave Cornwall the perfect start.  Spin was quickly introduced and a bowling change at the other end tightened up the lines and Cornwall were soon back behind the rate and under pressure.  Extras was again the second top score, something  Devon will definitely need improve on before next weekend’s fixtures. 

Devon Women 149-7 (R Fairbairn 49, J Dibble 27, C O’Keefe 18, B Halliday 15) beat Cornwall Women 104-4 (C Phillips 33, Extras 27, H Garton 1-10, L Clements 1-14) by 45 runs.

Devon Women’s Players Player – Rosalie Fairbairn sponsored by Smile Impressions