Sunday,
May 6
CAPTAIN
Bob Dawson starred with bat and ball as Devon made it
two wins on the trot in the Minor Counties KO Cup with
a five-wicket win over Berkshire at Exmouth.
Berkshire, who won the toss
and batted, recovered from a worrying 91 for six after
an early pasting from Trevor Anning and Neil Hancock,
to reach 210 all out in the last of their 50 overs.
Devon lost opener Richard Foan sooner than they would
have liked – he was caught behind flashing at Tom
Lambert after hitting two exquisite fours – then
raced to 76 as Dawson cut loose for a quickfire 46 –
40 of which came in boundaries.
Dawson looked a safe bet for
a half-century – and few more - when a change of
bowling proved his undoing. On came spinner Carl Crowe
and two balls later Dawson had his stumps re-arranged.
Rob Woodman had already gone by then to a reflex catch
as slip and the innings was at a potential turning point
at 80 for three. Neil Hancock with 35 in a stand of 62
with David Court, kept Devon on the right path.
Hancock fell lbw to Paul Carter and Devon wobbled briefly
when Court went to a brilliant diving catch at short mid-wicket
by Craig Crowe to give Steve Naylor a scalp.
Another wicket then could have made it difficult for Devon
as they still had 51 to get.
Big hitter David Lye knew that and curbed his natural
instincts to make a patient 40 not out to see Devon home
with almost five overs to spare. Rob Gear kept an end
stoppered-up for eight not out.
Just to show he hadn't lost his touch, Lye unleashed a
couple of sumptuous square drives and launched Carl Crowe
for a huge six that was still climbing as it cleared the
sightscreen.
Berkshire had been in trouble almost from the word go
as Hancock trapped openers Dave Barnes and Sam Woodward
plumb in front one after the other.
Former Leicestershire and England batsman Aftab
Habib came in at 14 for two and went three balls later
when he left a straight ball from Hancock that bowled
him.
Chris Ellison, the former Cornwall player, and captain
Bjorn Mordt staged a recovery by rattling the score along
to 74 without further mishap.
Mordt had reached 21 when he stepped out to drive Anning
and looked back moments later to see his off-stump knocked
out of the ground.
Steve Naylor went cheaply – Anning had him caught
at mid-on by Ian Bishop – then Ellison (38) was
rapped on the pad by the same bowler and umpire Curson
said it was time to go.
Berkshire were teetering on the brink of total collapse
at 91 for six when Craig Crowe came out to join Paul Carter
to attempt to stop the rot.
Crowe and Carter certainly turned the tide with a stand
of 95 that kept Berkshire in the game, at least for the
time being.
Crowe played the supporting role with a solid 44 while
Carter worked the ball round well, without ever appearing
to play too many attacking shots, to make a top score
of 66 off 76 balls.
Once Andy Procter was bowled out, and two overs from Robert
Gear cost 21 runs, Dawson wheeled himself into the attack
to break the partnership.
Crowe fell in Dawson's first over, Foan taking a good
catch running on from the boundary, the Carter had his
leg-stump pushed back and was gone as well.
Dawson went on to remove Mark Foster – bowled slogging
– and last man Lambert thanks to the quick gloves
of keeper Will Hanson to finish with a new personal competition
best of four for 32.
Devon's KO Cup campaign continues this Sunday when they
travel to Mumbles to play Wales.
Berkshire 210
(R P Carter 66, C P Crowe 44, C J Ellison 38; R I Dawson
4-32, N D Hancock 3-34, T S Anning 3-34), Devon
212-5 (R
I Dawson 46, D F Lye 40no, N D Hancock 35, D G Court 39).
Devon bt Berkshire by 5 wkts.
