By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
DEVON captain James Horler was briming with positives despite the frustrations of a soggy encounter with Dorset at Exmouth.
Dorset and Devon were due to meet in back-to-back matches in the group stages of the NCCA T20 Cup – but only finished the first game before rain swept in over the ground.
Dorset were six-wicket winners in game one having chased down Devon’s total of 92 for seven with 15 balls to spare.
Devon needed to bounce back with a win in game two to make-up ground lost by a double cancellation against Wiltshire seven days earlier.
A four o’clock pitch inspection by umpires and captains quickly put paid to any thoughts of getting the second game started. A squelchy outfield prompted the abandonment of the game.
For Horler, newly installed as Devon’s T20 captain and leading the side for the first time on his home ground, there were obvious frustrations. The skipper preferred to focus on the positives.
“We bowled and fielded exceptionally well to take Dorset to the 18th over defending a modest total,” said Horler.
“Dorset were made to work hard because we bowled so well and our work ethos was another positive for me as a captain. There will be other games when we have more runs on the board when that attitude will win us games.
“Batting wise we disappointed – we lacked positive intent – but Dorset are one of the top sides in this type of cricket and that has to be taken into account.
“When we batted I thought we had the right ideas, but did not always execute them too well.
“With three points from four games and four games to go we remain in contention and have two big games coming up against Herefordshire at Sandford this Sunday.”
Devon, who were asked to bat first, struggled to accelerate their innings against miserly bowling from the Dorset trio of Jacob Gordon, Ross Whiteley and David Scott, none of whom conceded much more than four runs an over.
No one made more for Devon than debutant Seb Ansley, whose 19 off 23 balls did not contain a single boundary, and there was a run-a-ball 16 not out for Ben Beaumont, who looked busy at the crease.
Seamer Ansley showed his potential all-round value to the side by bowling four overs for just 12 runs and his stats included a T20 rarity: a maiden.
Opening bowler Kazi Szymanski’s four overs only cost 13 runs and his probing line on and around off-stump deserved a wicket or two.
