DEVON Lions put-in totally contrasting performances in a Twenty20 double-header against Cornwall at Truro.
The Lions were six-wicket losers in game one after Cornwall chased down 144 to win with five balls to spare.
“Our team seemed to lag behind in various areas, and fell short by 30-40 runs on a good wicket with a fast outfield at Truro,” said Tim Western, the Lions’ performance director.
Game two ended in convincing eight-wicket win for Devon, who held Cornwall to a below-par 103 for nine and knocked-off the target before the end of the 13th over.
“Fortunately, in the second game, our team stepped-up and demonstrated a much-improved performance,” said Western.
Devon’s game-one total of 143 for seven was underpinned by knocks of 45 from opener Adam Small and 40 from Sam Elstone, who went in first wicket down. Seb Ansley wafted a quick 21 down the order at six.
Piran Kent and Jake Rowe – at 33 an unlikely candidate for a Development XI – had three wickets each for Cornwall.
Rowe was fourth out for 44 with 11 runs needed for victory when Cornwall passed the post.
Western was constructively critical of Devon’s performance, especially when they batted.
“To achieve a par score of 180, our batters should have targeted a strike rate of more than 150 per 100 balls,” said Western. “This could have been achieved through assertive stroke-play and aggressive running between the wickets.”
Western described defending 143 as a ‘challenging’ task, one that Jasper Presswell rose to with figures of two for 21 from four overs. “Jasper stood out as our best bowler,” said Western.
Game two was a completely different affair with Western crooning at Devon’s performance.
“We excelled bowling and fielding to restrict Cornwall to 103 for nine,” said Western.
“Chasing down the total took us less than 13 overs, thanks to the dominant batting display from Harry Southgate and Ollie Hannam.”
Skipper Jack Ford (3-11), backed-up by Harry Passenger and Joe Gore with two wickets each, kept the lid on Cornwall’s batters.
“Southgate (45 off 26 balls) and Ollie Hannam (46 not out from 36 ball) led the Devon run chase.
The Lions have a couple of weeks off before switching to 50-over cricket with a game against Gloucestershire at Exeter on June 16.
