DEVON’S batting was the deciding factor in the National 60-Plus County Championship win over Bedfordshire in the final of the 2nd XI bowl.

Devon, whose skipper Dave Amery won the toss and chose to bat at Chipping Sodbury CC, made a hefty 258 for five in their 45 overs.

Openers Eddie Clarke (44) and Peter Shepherd (61) got them of to a 115-run start and the runs kept coming from Gerry Keen (49) and Neil Matthews (41).

Bedfordshire were held to 177 for six in reply. The struggled against early strikes from Mark Floyer (2-27) and Paul Harding (2-16) and were 68 for five at one stage.

By the time Chris Rix (67) and Phil Joyce put bat to ball in a stand of 108 for the sixth wicket, the game had got away.

To reach the final Devon disposed of Leicestershire B at South Devon CC by nine wickets. Tom Stanton made 67 not out pursuing 123 to win.

Middlesex were rolled over in the quarter-final, also at South Devon, after Devon made 209 for nine – Clarke (62) and Stanton (27) the stars with the bat in a total of 209 for nine.

Amery and Paul Berman had three wickets each as Middlesex were bowled out for 134.