DEVON’S white-ball captain James Horler said the 92-run win over Buckinghamshire proved his young side is growing in stature all the time.

Having lost narrowly to holders Berkshire first time out in the pool stages of the 50-over NCA Trophy, Devon have since trounced Oxfordshire and now Buckinghamshire to take over at the top of the group table.

Ben Privett cracked his maiden Devon century in a 50-over total of 279 for eight. Pace bowler Kazi Szymanski  then took a competition personal best of five wickets for 28 runs as Bucks were dismissed for 181.

Said Horler” “It was a comprehensive and professional all-round performance where we dominated every aspect of the game against a strong side. 

“These are the games where we have to sit back and look at how much we've come on as a side over the past few years

“Ben Privett again, showed he is an incredibly talented player, and fully deserved his maiden NCA hundred. 

“Lawrence Walker (40no) also put in a fantastic performance. Going in at eight he showed the depth we have in the batting line-up.

“Kazi picked up big wickets and fully deserved his five-for.”

Victory took Devon past Berkshire on net run rate into top spot, but from one more game played. Their final group game is against Cornwall at Cornwood on Sunday week.

It could not be much tighter in the race for a top-two finish and a place in the last-eight knockout stages as Devon, Berkshire and Oxfordshire are all on four points.

Devon don’t have a game this weekend – it is their day off in a five-team pool – and by Sunday night the qualification picture should be clearer.

“We are not assured of a place in the quarter-finals yet,” said Horler

“We have our  eyes on finishing top of the group, but will see what happens this weekend in terms of other results.

“Net run rate is in our favour but, regardless, we will be leaving nothing to chance against Cornwall.”