Harry Everett reports from the Super8s Trophy Finals Day held at Bovey Tracey CC on the final Sunday of August 2024.

Semi-Final – Taunton Deanes 2s beat Bovey Tracey by seven wickets

Bovey Tracey made just 97-4 from their 16 overs. Megan Clark had 2-23 from three overs, and four of those were no balls. Kelly Luscombe, the ever-dependable skipper and wicketkeeper, retired with 30 off 30 balls including five fours. Libby Hancock added 23 off 27 balls, plus a generous 26 Taunton Deane 2s extras.

In reply, Deane had 99-0 on the board halfway through the 12^th over to win by a canter. Daisy Farrow had 30* retired off 37 balls whilst fellow opener Lauren Morrish provided the anchor with 14* off 26 balls. Harriet Kelly was her not out colleague with 15* off seven balls with three boundary fours to finish the match in style.

Semi-Final – Plymouth beat Bradninch & Kentisbeare by six wickets

Bradninch and Kentisbeare women won the toss and elected to bat, but saw Sarah Stanbury bowled for a duck by Maggie Haffenden on the third ball of the match. Skipper Meg Acton, as ever, top scored, but with just 21 this time, Immy Burt taking the key wicket. Extras were again the top scorer, 27, as B&K’s innings fizzled out to 89-6 after their 16 overs.

Kay Witten opened up with 17* off 27 balls as she saw fellow opener Keira de Villiers fall for 15 off nine, Emma Farley again the best wicket-taker for Bradninch, though this time she was also the only wicket-taker. Maggie Haffenden earnt player of the match status for adding to her early wicket in the first innings with 29* off 25 balls to clinch this match and a final spot for Plymouth with just 10.2 overs used.

Final - Taunton Deane 2s beat Plymouth by 31 runs

Taunton Deane 2s continued their sweep of all Devon womens’ sides with 120 scored off their 16 overs having been put in by Plymouth. They did however, give every one of their players a bit, a real rarity for them this season, mainly due to two retirements. Harriet Kelly (33*) and Millie Lusk (47*) therefore the two top scorers, only Megan Clark’s 18* at the bottom able to reach double figures. Poppy Tucker-Hart took two-fer from her four overs.

Tucker-Hart then took that confidence with ball in hand into her batting, top scoring with 20, but Plymouth could not keep up with the required rate whilst keeping wickets in hand and fell to 89-6 (one wicket from all out in Super 8s cricket). Jess Slade took 3- 9 off four overs and Megan Clark 2-25 off four. Well played Taunton Deane 2s who pick up the double this season having already sealed the Division Two title.