DEVON’S defence of the NCA Western Division title they won last season got off to a disastrous start when Berkshire thrashed them by 10-wickets.
The Instow showdown between the side Devon ousted as Western Division champions was blighted by late starts, early finishes and the threat of interruptions all the way through.
Whether the weather made any difference to the outcome is a matter of conjecture. But it could have worked in Devon’s favour.
Devon, second best for most of the match in the batting department, were less than half-an-hour away from salvaging a draw. That would have been an unlikely scenario without all the time lost.
Berkshire led by 191 runs after both sides had batted once. Euan Woods scored an unbeaten 142 as Berkshire totted-up 413 for six declared in reply to Devon’s all-out tally of 222.
Batting highlights for Devon during a go-slow innings were half-centuries for debutant Lawrence Walker (51) and professional Calum Haggett (61). Going 13 overs without hitting a boundary tells the story.
Devon were all out for 199 second time around – and only got that far thanks to a Devon-best of 59 down the order from Sam Read. His partnership of 66 for the eighth wicket with Haggett (26) was the greatest of a modest collection of stands. Haggett, who faced 109 balls in 128 minutes out in the middle, showed Devon's younger players what occupying the crease really looks like!
Although Devon managed to avoid an innings defeat, Berkshire had seven overs left to score the nine runs to win. They only needed five balls.
Dave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, pulled no punches in his post-match summing-up.
“We batted ourselves into a hole in our first innings and Berkshire never allowed us to get out of it,” said Tall.
“The second innings was much the same – a needless run-out, some bad shot selection and a bit of bad luck – until Sam Read gave us some hope of saving the game.
“We did not play very well – maybe half a session here and there – yet despite everything we were only a few overs from saving the game
“We very nearly got more than we deserved. But, in the end, we got exactly what we deserved…”
Walker’s half-century was a definite bright spot for Devon. He showed the sort of concentration needed to thrive in three-day cricket during a 133-ball stay.
Said Tall: “Lawrence’s batting was a positive, although I am sure he will reflect on a missed opportunity of a big one but that is part of the learning curve.”
Devon’s bowling stood-up pretty well in Berkshire’s first innings with Read, Max Shepherd and Kazi Szymanski getting through the overs.
Off-spinner and captain Jamie Stephens was badly missed in the attack due to injury. Tall is optimistic he will return for the game against Cornwall at Truro later this month.
