GEORGIA Hennessy and Emily Edgcombe both hit half-centuries to help Devon Women make the best of a soggy game against Berkshire at Sidmouth.
Devon were top of the County Championship Division Two table going into the rain-hit game – and Berkshire were a point behind them in second spot.
Although the game was abandoned due to bad weather, Devon did enough to take four batting bonus points and move fractonally further ahead of Berkshire at the top of the table.
Devon made 203 for one if 48.1 overs. Berkshire were 22 for two after five overs when a second rain break stopped play permanently.
Opener Hennessy played the anchor role, bating from start to finish for 78 not out off 137 balls.
England’s Anya Shurbsole could not shift Hennessy and neither could ECB Academy seamer Lauren Bell or Southern Vipers off-spinner Alice Macleod.
Bell nipped out Emma Corney and Ellie Mitchell, and Shrubsole cleaned up Milly Squire, as Devon dipped to 17 for three,
Hennessy and Amara Carr consolidated in a stand of 56 for the fourth wicket. Macleod split them up.
The key stand for Devon was the fifth-wicket partnership of 105 between Hennessy and Edgcombe that took Devon to 178 for five,
Both batswomen played shots all around the wicket and created a great show for the many spectators who had travelled far to watch big names and the two top in the league battle it out.
Edgcombe (59) outscored Hennessy while the two were together before she was caught at mid-wicket, by Shrubsole off Phoebe Graham
Hennessy and Olivia Churcher added another 25 unbroken before rain sent the teams scurrying for cover in the 48th over.
Devon’s score was rounded-up to 213 under Duckworth-Lewis rules because of the early finish.
Squire opened the bowling for Devon and struck twice in the first over, removing Emily Cunningham and Millie Allerton to leave Berkshire three for two.
Berkshire were on the back foot, but before Devon could press home their advantage the terminal downpour arrived after five overs.
Berkshire would have needed 75 runs on the board from 10 overs bowled to force a result.
Devon now have a three-point lead over Berkshire at the top of the table. They will hope to maintain their unbeaten form over a Bank Holiday double date away to Essex and Middlesex.
Devon add Claire Varcoe to the 12 from this weekend as they head to Billericay CC and Eastcote CC respectively.
Devon: Amara Carr (c), Georgia Hennessy, Becca Silk, Emily Edgcombe, Ellie Mitchell, Stephanie Hutchins, Sophie Florides, Milly Squire. Rebecca Halliday, Olivia Churcher, Claire Varcoe, Emma Corney, Charlie Phillips
