After losing the toss on what was the second match of the ECB Women’s County Championship Division 2, captain Amara Carr lead her team to the field ready to bowl. Coming off the back of a confident win against Durham the previous day, a skilful Milly Squire started the ball rolling with pace as Wales’ first wicket of Rachel Priest fell on the first ball of the day - caught behind by Carr. With a renowned big hitter back in the club house and replacement Seren Hughes at the crease, both Squire and Emily Edgecome bombarded Wales taking another two wickets between the two of them leaving Wales at a dangerous 21-3. Georgia Hennessy taking the first of the two wickets off Edgecome, comfortably sitting at slip and the second a clean steal from Squire toppling the stumps out.
With only one run scored between three wickets, ex-Devon player Lydia Clements fell to the mercy of an incredible catch, again by Carr, diving forward gifted to her by the expert bowling of Sophie Florides. Such a slick and well grafted performance ensued confidence from the early success as the women settled into what was looking like a low scoring innings for the outsiders. Overs went by with little action seeing Wales steal runs where they could find them keeping Devon on their toes. Fantastic moments of fielding set the standards as Olivia Churcher and Emma Corney, making her county debut, acted as barriers on the boundary stopping anything coming their way.
With the seamers finishing their first spell, Devon’s spinners came in to play following suit as Becca Silk bowled her way to outstanding figures of 31-3 from 10 and Charlie Philips taking her wicket whilst bowling 3 maiden overs. With the innings drawing to a close it was unbeknown to most people spectating as to whether the women would finish early or whether we would have to wait for the innings to play out in full. Luckily, with safe hands from Steph Hutchins, the last two wickets fell quickly. The innings closed with Wales 133 all out and many backing Devon for the win.
It was a similar start to the Welsh that saw Amy Weir back in the changing rooms thanks to the seam of Ffion Wynne. However, unfazed by the knock Milly Squire went to meet Emma Corney as they went on to partner a respectful 31. Unfortunately it was Squire who was caught at square after a slightly shorter ball was sent down by Hughes that left young Corney at the square awaiting another new partner.
Skipper Carr joined Corney, adding a few more to Devon’s total but unfortunately another wicket fell, with Carr caught behind and she left swiftly. The score now at 47-4 Devon were still ahead but fear was setting in slightly. Another quick wicket loss by Hennessy sent in Edgecome who stood her ground unfazed by the challenge ahead. A good performance from Corney was adversely called to an end as she was given an lbw leaving Devon with 51-5. Heads rose again as Churcher entered the crease and the pair dug deep to cement their place at the square.
50 ended the pairs partnership moving Devon even closer to finish line as Churcher left on 106-6. Becca Silk unluckily lost her spot at in the middle after contributing to the chase but it was Rebeca Haliday and Edgecome that saw the innings to a comfortable close with just under 9 overs to spare.
Ending on a high score of 48 not out Edgecome was awarded player of the match for both her bowling and batting efforts but it was certainly a team effort that brought the Devon Women over the finish line. Outstanding efforts were on show from all players both in their specialist areas and in the field and the team look forward to playing Worcestershire away in their next fixture. Special congratulations to Emma Corney on such a superb debut.
