DEVON defeated Worcestershire by nine wickets at Himley to go one point clear of Berkshire at the top of the Division Two Table.

It was Devon’s third straight win in the ECB Women’s County Championship and sets them up nicely for the game against Berkshire at Sidmouth this Sunday.

Berkshire, where England captain and former Devon player Heather Knight regularly racks up the runs, were joint leaders before they dropped a batting point in their win over Somerset.

Devon arrived at Himley to find a dampish pitch and drying outfield on a ground that had been two wet to play on the day before.

In was a win-the-toss-and-field day for Devon skipper Amara Carr, who did called correctly and stuck Worcestershire in.

Georgina Adcock and Nikki Chaudhari looked to be settling in nicely against Devon openers Milly Squire and Emily Edgcombe, who both struggled initially to find their lines.

The introduction of Sophie Florides brought about the first wicket when she bowled Chaudhuri for 11.

Emily Edgcombe then had Adcock caught at backward point by Weir, also for 11.

At 36 for two the danger signs were there for Worcestershire. Carr turned to her spinners who responded in kind as Worcestershire capitulated to 69 all out.

The main protagonist was Becca Silk, who claimed five for 12 from her 10 overs. There was a wicket each for Charlie Phillips and Stephanie Hutchins.

Carr closed the innings by taking her second stumping of the match to complete a third straight performance with no extras to her name.

Having to bat for 40 minutes before the interval is always tricky, particularly when it does not happen too often in the women’s game.

Recent debutant Emma Corney, well used to the perils of opening the batting, succumbed to a full-length ball from Emily Arlott. This was the only dismissal as Claire Varcoe (13no) joined Georgia Hennessy (40no), who took Devon to a comfortable win and maximum batting points.