Horler targets win over leaders to cement place in Trophy last eight | ' You have to beat the best if we want to win the competition'

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON captain James Horler wants to eliminate any doubts about qualifying for the knockout stages of the National Counties Trophy by defeating Berkshire in the final round of group matches.

Berkshire, the group leaders, have already qualified for the last eight thanks to a perfect three-from-three record. Devon are next best on four points, with Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire both on two.

If Devon lose to Berkshire they will finish the group stages on four points, as will either Oxfordshire or Bucks, who meet at Tring. Then net run rate will come into play, which is a hit-and-miss deadlock decider.

Berkshire have dominated National Counties cricket in one and three-day competitions for the best part of decade. Devon don’t have a brilliant record against Berkshire in the 50-over competition – they have lost the last three meetings – but Horler isn’t dwelling too much on what’s gone before … just the here and now.

“Even though our track record hasn't been favourable in our column, we haven't been rolling over and have pushed them close each time,” said Horler.

“But you have to beat the best if we want to win the competition.

“We won't be thinking too hard about the net run rate situation; our aim is to win the game, and not have to worry. 

“Berkshire are a very strong side and we will have to put in a strong performance, possibly even stronger than the one that beat Cornwall in our last game.”

Devon’s last win over Berkshire in 50-over cricket was back in 2018 when they won by 22 runs in a quarter-final clash at Sidmouth.

Ben Green, Matt Thompson and Zak Bess all made 50 or more in a Devon total of 273 for eight. Quite a recovery after losing Liam Lewis and Alex Barrow in the first over without a run on the board.

Half centuries from Andy Rishton and James Morris gave Berkshire momentum on the chase, despite the best efforts of Jack Popham (3-39) to slow them down Spinner Toby Codd made the breakthrough Devon needed by dismissing Morris. Codd (3-31) and Bess (2-44) ran through the bottom half of the order as Berkshire were dismissed for 251.

Devon: B H Privett, S J Elstone, J D Horler, F J Hill, L S Walker, C F Harvey, S O Read, M W Thompson, H J Passenger, J M Nott, M R Jeacock, J A Stephens.

Berkshire (from): R D Lewis, J M Connell, D J Lincoln, A R Carter, A Searle, C P Dunnett, E R Campion, B J W Salter, J M Lincoln, T L Greatwood, J A J Rishton, S Akhtar.

Umpires: S E Lavis, P J Sparshott.