A SKIPPER’S knock off 149 from George Allen could not save Devon Lions from a 27-run defeat in a high-scoring affair with the Dorset Leopards.
Dorset, who won the toss and chose to bat first at Hamworthy, made 288 for four in their 50 overs.
Opener George Bartlett made 109 – he and Alex Eckland (65) put on 118 for the second wicket – and there was a further stand of 97 for the fourth wicket between Barlett and Harry Fisher (66).
Spinner Ed Doble was the only Lions bowler to take more than one wicket.,
The Lions were in some trouble at 46 for three in reply as Sam Mitcham (5-47) got stuck into the top order.
Allen, who went in at 36 for two, very nearly turned the game round on his own.
The Torquay captain slammed 17 fours and three sixes as the Lions started whittling away at the lead.
Lower-order support from Jacob Caunter (22) and Cole Harford (23) got the Lions close but not quite close enough.
By the time Allen was dismissed at the start of the 49th over, the target was 41 to win in 18 balls. Devon finished on 261 for nine.
Allen played down his own role in the chase, but felt another wicket or two in hand would have made a difference.
“Dorset had a strong team out with three or four players with Minor Counties experience and we did well to keep the to a below par 288,” said Allen.
“We came up 27 runs short, but had we had wickets going into the last 10 overs we would have got over the line.”
Leopards’ skipper Mitcham said he only felt comfortable once Allen was on his way back to the pavilion.
“Their skipper’s innings was probably one of the best hundreds I’ve seen, it was a real mammoth effort from him, but in the end we got the breakthrough and got over the line.”
