Tolchards Devon Women's League T20 Plate Final
Hatherleigh 106-6 beat Taunton Deane 2s 66-8 by 40 runs
Hatherleigh claimed the Tolchards T20 Plate with a 40-run victory over Taunton Deane 2s in the final at Exeter.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Hatherleigh made 106 for six from their 20 overs before Amalie Brock and Jessica Dennis took three wickets apiece to restrict Taunton to 66 for eight.
The final brought together two sides who had impressed throughout the competition, with Hatherleigh topping Group A before beating Bovey Tracey in the semi-final, while Taunton arrived at Exeter having won all four of their Group C matches and then defeated Clyst St George by nine wickets in the last four.
Hatherleigh's innings was given a solid start by Chloe Rose and Chloe Dennis, who put on 40 for the opening wicket before Rose was bowled by Daisy Farrow for 17.
Farrow struck again shortly afterwards when Dennis was caught by Amelie Keal for 17, leaving Hatherleigh 45 for two.
That brought Olivia Cooper and Mia Spears together and the pair helped Hatherleigh build a competitive total.
They put on 52 for the third wicket, Cooper making 24 from 26 balls and Spears 25 from 23, including four boundaries.
Spears was the first of the pair to go, bowled by Amy Farr at 97 for three, before Georgia Adams removed Cooper for 24.
Hatherleigh lost wickets regularly during the closing stages, with captain Jess Rose and Sophie Evans also departing, but 20 extras helped push the total to 106 for six.
Farrow finished with two for 18 from her four overs, while Adams took two for 15 from three. Farr and Keal claimed a wicket apiece.
A target of 107 was far from out of reach, particularly for a Taunton side whose top order had been so convincing throughout the competition, but Hatherleigh quickly took control of the chase.
Brock struck first when she bowled Pippa Stephens without scoring and then added Charlotte Berry for seven.
Imogen Dunne was run out by Jessica Dennis for four and, when Brock bowled captain Harriet Kelly for two, Taunton had slipped to 22 for four.
Brock's opening spell put Hatherleigh firmly on top and she finished with outstanding figures of three for six from four overs, including a maiden.
Taunton's problems continued after Brock's spell ended.
Jessica Dennis dismissed Daisy Farrow for nine before striking twice in successive deliveries to remove Georgia Adams for four and Martha Wilkes without scoring.
Taunton had tumbled to 42 for seven and the chase had all but gone.
Grace Kibble offered some resistance with 15, the highest score of the innings, before Abigail Dennis bowled her with the score on 51.
Amy Farr and Beatrice How saw out the remainder of the innings, finishing unbeaten on eight and nine respectively, but Taunton closed on 66 for eight.
Jessica Dennis matched Brock with three wickets, returning three for seven from two overs, while Abigail Dennis took one for 13.
It was a convincing way for Hatherleigh to secure the Plate after a campaign in which they had topped their group before overcoming Bovey in the semi-final and Taunton in the final.
For Taunton Deane, defeat brought their T20 campaign to a close, but their season could yet end with silverware.
Both finalists remain in contention for the Tolchards Devon Women's Cricket League Division Two title, which will be decided when Hatherleigh face Clyst St George on Sunday, September 20. Hatherleigh must win to take the title; anything other than victory would hand the championship to Taunton Deane.
A full preview of the title-deciding game will be available later this week.
By Chris Sleep
