CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON captain James Horler said he could not have wished for a much better start to the Western Division One season than the eight-wicket win over Herefordshire at Sidmouth.

Devon, last season’s Western One winners in the Cluberly NCA Championship, bowled-out Herefordshire on the last day to leave themselves a target of 116 to win. 

A six-wicket haul for spinner Sam Read (6-99) paved the way to overcome stubborn resistance by Herefordshire, who worked hard for more than 96 overs to bat Devon out of the game.

Horler felt the manner of the win was statement of intent for the games to come.

“It was a pretty clinical performance spread across the three days and extremely pleasing to come out with a  full bonus-point win and get us off to the perfect start,” said Horler.

Three-day cricket inevitably produces peaks and troughs for both combatants as there is time to play your way out of trouble.

Devon had peaks – a debut century for James Matravers in their first innings and half-centuries from Seb Linnitt and Lawrence Walker while compiling  a 200-run first-innings lead – and troughs when Herefordshire batted on and on.

Horler said Matravers ‘was outstanding’ for the way he did what he did in a tight spot.

“James went in at 144 for six where the game was on a bit of a knife edge, and along with Lawrence (60) steered us to 393 for nine and put us firmly in the driving seat,” said Horler. 

“Seb Linnitt (74) looked classy and continues to give  consistency in the middle order for us.”

Herefordshire’s wily old pro George Rhodes, the son of former England wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes, proved a hinderance to a Devon win. He made 96 in eight minutes shorter than four hours in the middle. Joe Porter (81), Henry Hardinges (65) and Luke Powell (47) all ate into Devon’s time.

Linnitt snapping-up Powell under the helmet off Whalley was the breakthrough Devon needed. Herefordshire promptly lost five wickets for 28 runs on the way to 314 all out.

Ben Privett’s 65 not out made Devon’s pursuit of 116 to win a formality. Callum Harvey (28no) was in at the end.

Said Horler: “We were always confident we could bowl Herefordshire out, even with the start they had in the second innings. 

“Day-three pitches will always give you something; we just had to break an end open. 

“Once we got through the middle order we knew it was an opportunity to put the pressure on. Taking the last five wickets for 28 runs was huge.”

The vagaries of chasing 150-160 in the fourth innings on a wearing pitch were clearly on Horler’s mind when he said: “Although the chase was comfortable in the end, chasing too many more batting last is never easy.”

Devon now have a break before they play Oxfordshire at Banbury between July 26-28.