By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

BEN Beaumont’s quickfire knock of 46 was one of Devon’s few highlights in a double dose of Twenty20 defeats by Cornwall at Cornwood.

Cornwall defeated Devon by three wickets in game one and eight wickets in game two to book their place at finals day in the NCCA Twenty 20 Cup competition.

Beaumont flogged the Cornish bowling all around the ground in game one – and out of it too – during a 20-ball stay in the middle that included four fours and the same number of sixes. He was going for one more big hit to bring up his half-century when he ran past a delivery from Will McVicar and was stumped by a distance.

Dave Tall, the Devon head coach, said it was a ‘brilliant’ innings by a player who is getting better and better all the time.

“Ben has come back from a winter in Australia a much-improved player, as his brilliant batting showed,” said Tall.

“Not only did Ben hit the ball a long way, it was clean hitting and not slogging. And to bat like that on the ground where he plays week in and week out must have been a great feeling for a young player.”

With Beaumont out of the way Devon struggled to keep going at Twenty20 pace for long and were all out for 123 in the final over. 

Lewis Goldsworthy, the Somerset all-rounder dual registered with Cornwall, spun his way to a hat-trick in Devon’s final over when he accounted for Matt Skeemer (caught), Kazi Szymanksi (stumped) and Matt Shepherd (lbw) one after the other.

Cornwall, who needed two wins over Devon to reach the NCCA Twenty20 Cup finals day later this month, won game one after a struggle.

Tight bowling from Max Shepherd, Calum Haggett and Joe Gore meant Cornwall got down to the final over from Szymanski needing eight to win. Tom Sturgess settled it with a four then a six.

Devon made 120 all out in game two built around a brisk 40 from Calum Haggett with support either side from Sam Elstone (17) and Will Christophers (18no).

Haggett looked like getting a few more before he was run-out by a direct hit throw from Chris Gibson.

Losing Haggett, Jack Moore and Matt Skeemer in successive balls – not a hat-trick as one was a run-out – slowed Devon in the final five overs.

Cornwall went off in hot pursuit with opener Christian Purchase leading the way with a rumbustious 66 off just 31 balls. A stand of 95 for the first wicket with Gibson ended the game as a contest.

Purchase perished trying to hit Christophers down the ground. He collected six sixes – four in a row off Moore – and six fours.

Gibson was still there undefeated on 49 when the winning runs were scored in the 13th over.

Christophers, with a run-a-ball knock and two wickets, was Devon’s man of a disappointing match.”

Cornwall now go through to finals day at Tring CC later this month where they will face Hertfordshire. The other semi-final is between Staffordshire and Berkshire.

James Horler, the Devon captain, said it may have been a ‘tough day in the office’ but that did not mean there were no plus points to take away.

“To take it very deep in the first game, and lose with just two balls remaining against a very strong Cornish side was very encouraging,” said Horler.

“Ben Beaumont batted particularly well and Max Shepherd again showed his quality with the ball.

“The second game was disappointing, although it was great to see Will Christopher's excelling in a tough situation.”

Horler said both games were good experience for the team ahead of the 50-over cup competition that starts on May Bank Holiday Monday with an away game against Cornwall at Truro.

Horler will continue to skipper the side in white-ball cricket this season, something he is looking forward to.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to continue and excited to start the knockout cup campaign with a talented and top group of lads,” said Horler.