DEVON are now involved in a relegation scrap in Western Division One after a five-wicket defeat by Cornwall at Truro.
Devon won the Western Division title last year in their first season back in the top flight following promotion.
After two successive defeats – by Berkshire and now Cornwall – Devon are rock bottom of the five-team table with two games left to avoid dropping back to Division Two.
If Devon lose heavily to second-bottom Cheshire in their next game at Sidmouth, it could be curtains before they play Oxfordshire at Banbury in their final game.
Cornwall went into the final day of the National Counties Championship clash on none for one overnight and faced with a target of 285 to win.
Alex Blake, the former Kent batsman, carved out an unbeaten 160 during nearly four hours at the crease to steer Cornwall to victory. Three sixes in four balls from Kazi Szymanski concluded the chase shortly before tea.
The ex-Kent contribution to the game – 12 out of 20 wickets, 235 runs – proved significant.
There was no shortage of absorbing cricket from both sides on the first two days. Will MacVicar, also ex-of Kent, took eight wickets for 46 runs – a three-day format record for Cornwall – as Devon were dismissed for 120 first-time around.
“Will's efforts on the first day were fantastic,” said Cornwall captain Paul Smith. “He really put us on the front foot after we lost the toss.”
Devon bowled-out Cornwall for 171 – four wickets each for Kazi Szymanski and Sam Read – which left them 51 runs behind on first innings. They were 29 for two overnight.
A stand of 175 between Matt Thompson (115) and Lawrence Walker (116) helped Devon post a second-innings total of 330 all out. Walker pulling MacVicar's first ball of a new spell for six was a candidate for shot of the match.
MacVicar (4-85) picked-up four more wickets for figures of 12 for 131 in the match.
Devon’s 284-run lead was enough to make the game interesting, but Cornwall had time on their side and used nearly 68 overs knocking-off the runs.
Blake chipped away at Devon’s lead during stands of 71 with Karl Leathley (31) and 60 with MacVicar (22).
Captain Smith came and went for 11, which brought Jake Rowe out to join Blake on 185 for five. That was the last wicket to fall.
Rowe (31no) sauntered along in support of Blake, who started to show-off his collection of big hits as the tea interval approached.
Blake finished the game with three sixes in four balls from Szymanski, who had been brought back after Max Shepherd had been larruped for 18 from the previous over at that end!
Devon spinner Read (4-76) toiled away for 30 overs to take four more wickets for impressive match figures of 43.3-9-114-8.
James Horler, who led Devon in the absence of skipper Jamie Stephens, said there were highlights despite the outcome, such as taking Cornwall deep into the third day.
“An up-and-down game went from looking like it would finish by tea on the second day to nearly going the distance,” said Horler.
“We had the toughest parts of the wicket in the first innings, but Matt and Lawrence showed discipline, class and character to grind-out hundreds on day two.
“We could have easily folded under pressure, but to bat for five hours-plus was a real credit. A 284-run lead looked a good position to be in at close.”
Smith said although the target set by Devon was a challenging one, he was always confident of chasing it.
“Devon showed great grit and determination to bat for a day, however, we felt we could chase anything with our batting line-up,” said Smith.
“The wicket got progressively better, which isn't how it usually goes at Truro.
“Alex Blake really showed his class and allowed the rest to bat around him and make a fairly tricky run chase look relatively easy.”
Reflecting on the Cornwall run chase, and Devon’s gruelling day in the field, Horler said: “There are small areas I am sure we can pick-up on, but the simple fact is we were outclassed by a very good player, who took the game out of our hands.
“Sam Read bowled with great control and deserved his eight wickets.
“Kazi deserved a lot more than his four, but just bowling more than 36 overs in proper heat was a stand-out performance from him.”
