DEVON Lions thumped Somerset’s Player Pathway XI by 173 runs in a 50-over white-ball challenge match at Sandford.
Sam Elstone amassed 126 at better than run-a-ball rate as the Lions totted-up 296 for eight.
Somerset, who included Devon League players Theo Lamey (Bradninch & Kentisbeare), James Theedom (Sandford) and Seb Linnett (Exeter), were all out for 123 with more than 18 overs to go.
Tim Western, who runs the Lions Development programme on behalf of Devon CCC, said it was unfortunate that the game was so ‘one-sided’ but added there are mitigating factors to take into account.
“We appreciate the demands of the First-Class counties at this time of the year,” said Western.
“It is important that we maintain the links with our nearby professional counties and we therefore need to review when we play these games.
“The Devon Lions’ games must challenge and stretch our emerging players.”
Heathcoat opener Tom Hatton missed out on his Lions debut – in and out for four in the second over – and next man in Ted Haffenden came and went for seven.
Harry Southgate, a Heathcoat dressing room colleague of Hatton’s, struck-up a profitable partnership of 119 with Elstone that took the running total to 150 for three.
After Southgate was run-out by Linnett for 73 the scoring slowed for a while as Kaleem and Coleman cut out the boundaries.
“Somerset set defensive fields and rain the night before slowed the pitch and outfield,” said Western. “We only hit 120 runs through boundaries, so it showed that we ran well.”
Elstone and Adam Small (37) upped the pace by going after the Somerset bowling and put on 53 with Elstone as the total climbed.
Devon were rattling along at more than seven-an-over in the dying stages with Theedom, Jamie Matravers and Jamie Ogborne all suffering.
“Sam and Harry set the platform with their stand, then Adam kept the momentum going,” said Western.
Dave Tall, Devon CCC’s director of cricket, clearly liked what he saw from Southgate out in the middle.
“Harry as definitely got something about him and we will be registering him for National Counties games with a view to seeing how he goes there,” said Tall.
Linnett (36) and Matravers (27) got Somerset way to a respectable start, but once they were separated the innings went into a steep decline as Matt Jeacock (2-29) and Jon Triner (2-9) got to work.
Somerset lost eight wickets for just 51 runs on the way from 72 for two to 123 all out.
What Triner and Jeacock started was concluded by Harry Passenger (2-8) and B&K spinner Josh Farley (2-18)
“All of the bowlers contributed and were given opportunities by captain, Jack Ford,” said Western.
“I was pleased with the control of the bowlers and the energy as a fielding unit.”
Devon Lions final fixture this season is a two-day game against Cornwall CCC starting on Sunday, August 4 at Cornwood CC.
