Devon's women enjoyed the perfect start to 2019 as they complete victories over Durham and Wales respectively in tense affairs at Heathcoat CC and North Devon CC.

After winning the toss, skipper Amara Carr asked Durham, now coached by former international Danielle Hazell, to bat first. Devon were soon to make inroads into the visitors batting with a wicket each for Milly Squire and Emily Edgcombe which reduced Durham to11-2. Spin was soon introduced and although Rachel Petherick and Becky Glen were able to add a dozen each once both were dismissed by Stephanie Hutchins alarm bells were ringing. Becca Silk then turned in an exemplary spell as she bowled ten overs straight through claiming 4-6, a super run out from a direct hit by Sophie Florides coupled with a further off spin wicket, this time from Charlie Phillips closed the Durham innings as they were bundled out for 97. Devon had to go and out bat for 35 minutes (always tricky) and so it proved with Claire Varcoe, knicking off to 1st Slip and Milly Squire clean bowled first ball reducing them to 9-2. Skipper Carr joined Ellie Mitchell and together the pair started to get on top of the conditions and were going along smoothly until am injury to Ellie Mitchell led to her retirement and brought Georgia Hennessy to the crease, unfortunately the situation got worse as she was caught behind for the second first ball dismissal of the Devon reply leaving Devon in something of a hole. Carr returned after the break to continue at a run a ball but when she misjudged a cut to be caught behind and Edgcombe playing on soon after, suddenly Devon were 51-5. Mitchell had returned to the crease and was joined by Olivia Churcher and the pair steadied the ship with a partnership over 30 to take the hosts close to their target. Churcher would fall for a patient 15 but Mitchell carried her bat for an unbeaten 42 to lead Devon to a 3 wicket win.

At North Devon CC, Devon lost the toss and were asked to field. Devon got off to the perfect start with skipper Carr taking a smart catch first ball up from Milly Squire to remove the dangerous Rachel Priest and with Georgia Hennessy claiming a smart catch at 1st slip off Emily Edgcombe to remove Gabby Basketter, both Welsh openers were in the hut with 21 on the board. Lydia Clements, who plays her cricket at North Devon when home from University was then dismissed by a superb diving catch from Carr from the impressive Florides and with Seren Hughes bowled by Squire soon after Wales were in trouble at 22-4. Wales' skipper Lauren Parfitt was joined by Alex Griffiths (39) and although slow were able to add 59 for the 6th wicket before Parfitt was trapped lbw by the returning Squire. Another good catch from Georgia Hennessy at wide mid on from Becca Silk soon after had Wales back in bother at 92-7. They had to thank a quickfire 19 from Danielle Gibson supported by Georgia Parfitt who made 12 before Carr completed her hat trick of dismissals with a stumping as Wales were eventually bowled out for 132. The early loss of opener Weir, bizarrely to another first ball dismissal was soon forgotten as Milly Squire joined debutant Emma Corney and comfortably took Devon to 31 before Squire didn't get hold of a long hop and was well caught at square leg. Skipper Carr came and went quickly, well caught at 1st slip by Basketter off the bowling of Alex Griffiths. Emma Corney would eventually fall lbw to cross batted shot for 20, a good effort on debut which brought Olivia Churcher to the crease. For the second day running she batted with great determination and patience, understanding the situation as she added 50 with Emily Edgcombe to get Devon close. Her loss coupled soon after with the wicket of Becca Silk soon after still left 20 to win when Becca Halliday came out to join Edgcombe. Keeping their nerve the pair saw Devon home, Edgcombe closing on 48. A second gutsy win by Devon in the space of two days, further evidence of their growing maturity as a side.

Next up is a trip to Himley CC to face Worcestershire on Sunday 12th May.