Lions clinch five-wicket win over Cornish Choughs with one ball to spare | 'It was a deserved win in a game which we dominated for the majority of the two days' – Tim Western
ABOVE" Devon Lions at Truro. Back (left to right): Tim Western (coach), George Daldorph, Tom Mitch, Matt Jeacock, Tom Hodgson, Noah Musikanth, Akshay Bharadwaj, Mike Cherry (manager), Chrissie Haffenden (scorer); front: Harry Southgate, Teddy Haffenden, Jack Ford (captain), Harry Passenger, Matt Whalley, Adam Small
OPENER Teddy Haffenden gave the county management a nudge with a top score of 99 in the Devon Lions’ five-wicket win over Cornwall Choughs at Truro.
The two-day declaration game is an established part of both Devon and Cornwall’s development pathway for young players into the senior side.
Haffenden and Plymouth clubmate Matt Whalley did their prospects the power of good with runs in the first innings, when Devon racked-up 299 all out.
A stand of 85 for the third wicket between Haffenden and Noah Musikanth (46) on a worn pitch was Devon’s first-innings highlight. More runs followed for Harry Passenger (24), captain Jack Ford (20) and George Daldorph (23).
Cornwall were bowled out first time 156 runs behind the for 143 –– Matt Jeacock picking-up four for 44 – and were obliged to follow on.
Devon had to work harder second time round as an Oliver Allsop century helped Cornwall reach 258 all out. Spinner Akshay Bharadwaj (4-66) was the star turn with the ball.
The to-win target for Devon was 102, which they achieved with one ball to spare in the last over of the match. Haffenden was in and out for a brisk 19. Whalley (17no) was at the other end when Ford (11no) hit the winning runs.
Tim Western, Devon CCC’s performance director, said although there was a close finish, he felt Devon were largely on top.
“It was a deserved win in a game which we dominated for the majority of the two days,” said Western.
“Cornwall batted well in their second innings to set up an exciting finish, where we needed to chase 102 runs in 15 overs.
“We chased down the target with just one ball to spare. It was fitting our captain, Jack Ford, hit a boundary off the Cornwall captain, Jake Rowe.”
Western said the value of games like this to the development of future National Counties players was immense as it exposed them to elements of the longer game totally absent in Saturday afternoon league cricket.
“To win the game we needed to take 20 wickets in two days, which is quite a task but the team achieved this and made Cornwall Choughs follow-on,” said Western. “This showed our control of the match.
“Despite windy conditions, all of our bowlers gave a good account of themselves, and we took our catches.
“Credit to our team's energy and endurance, for fielding for 124 overs on the bounce after enforcing the follow-on.”
