DEVON’S final warm-up of the pre-season phase before they get stuck into the Unicorns KO Cup group ended in a one-wicket defeat at the hands of the University of Exeter.
Devon were bowled out for 127 and the Students crept over the line nine wickets down with one ball to go.
Nominally the game was a development game for the Lions squad, but the reality was there are places in the side for the cup game Cornwall on Sunday to filled.
While it was hard to make too much of a total of 127 all out in tricky batting conditions at the County Ground in Exeter, it isn’t batters Devon are looking for.
What Devon need are bowlers, and opening bowlers at that, to fill in for dual-registered Ryan Stevenson, the late Tom Allin and Alfonso Thomas, whose registration has been declined by the Minor Counties Cricket Association.
Thomas, a South African by birth, is waiting for his citizenship application to be dealt with by the Home Office and until it is the MCCA won’t register him.
Jason Ratcliffe, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers Association, has taken up the case on behalf of Thomas but it is unlikely to be resolved this week.
So Devon’s hopes of playing Thomas as their professional are on the back burner.
Stevenson, signed by Hampshire after impressing for Devon last season, won’t e released to play as he is carrying an injury.
So Devon need a new-ball partner for Trevor Anning and were looking at candidates yesterday.
Team chief Keith Donohue said Dan Goodey pressed his claim with two for 18 in 9.5 overs.
It fell to Goodey to bowl the last over with two runs needed to win and his attitude to a difficult task didn’t go un-noticed.
“Dan Goodey bowled a tidy spell up front and gave them nothing at all.
“Trevor is getting into his rhythm and Josh King was economical too.
“Jamie Stephens had a good game all-round, bowling and batting.
“He showed good application with the bat to make 24 on a difficult pitch, the bowled eight overs of off-spin for 13 runs.”
Devon were bowled out for 127 with nearly three overs to go by Jon Burden (3-22) and Tom Pedel (3-19).
Harvey Sargent (20) and Stephens (25) saved Devon from total collapse after they had slumped to 81 for six.
The Students didn’t find batting that much easier as they were 55 for five in the 27th over – Anning, Goodey (2-16), King and Williams all among the wickets.
Jack Marston (31) and Jake Symes (27) put on 53 for the sixth wicket to narrow the gap.
Goodey returned for a second spell to whip pout Ross Powell, the first of three wickets to go for 10 runs added in a four-over spell.
Tail-ender Sam Harris prodded a single off Goodey to win the game.
Devon Lions 127 (H J Sargent 20, J A Stephens 26; J P Burden 3-22, T Pedel 3-19), University of Exeter 128-9 (R G Craze 28, J Marston 31, J Symes 27; T S Anning 2-16, D J Goodey 2-18). Exeter University bt Devon Lions by 1 wkt.
