DEVON captain James Horler got what he wanted from a 70-run win over Cornwall in a 50-over warm-up game at Plympton.

Horler and opener Ben Privett both made half-centuries for Devon in a total of 245 for nine.

Karl Leathley and Alfie MacDonald responded with 50-plus scores towards Cornwall’s running total of 145 for four, but an eight-an-over asking rate proved too much for the bottom half of the order.

Craig Penberthy (2-44) and Callum Harvey (3-20) bowled out Cornwall for 184 with more than five overs to go.

For Horler it was the sort of display he wanted ahead of the National Counties Trophy group game opener against Herefordshire at Bovey Tracey on Sunday.

“It was great to go into the Herefordshire game with a positive result to kick-on from,” said Horler.

“A really positive stepping stone and always nice to beat Cornwall whatever the circumstances.” 

Privett (64) got Devon away to rapid start ­by planking Cornwall debutant Dan Barnard for 12 in the first over. His stand with co-opener Matt Whalley (21) took the total to 51 for one.

Horler (54), fresh from runs in the high-scoring defeat by Exeter University seven days earlier, added 90 for the second wicket with Privett.

With Privett then Horler out of the way, followed cheaply by Matt Thompson, bits and pieces from Seb Linnett (36) and Harvey (21) kept the scoreboard flickering.

Spinner MacDonald (3-22) and seamers Ryan Tonkin (2-36) and Ben Ellis (2-26) were the Cornwall bowlers who slowed Devon after they reached 170 for two with 16 overs to go.

Said Horler: “Probably a couple under what we would’ve liked from the position we were in, but would’ve taken 245 after being put into bat. It was good to see another 50 from the top order from Privett.”

Leathley (58) and MacDonald (50) were behind the clock on 102 for two when Harvey split them up.

Spinner Sam Read increased the scoreboard pressure on Cornwall with dot ball after dot ball, as did seamer Privett on his old Plympton stomping ground.

Cornwall’s last five wickets fell for just seven runs scored in the space of 23 balls as Harvey, Penberthy and Harry Passenger picked them off.

Horler said Devon’s bowlers did well to slow Cornwall back after they got off to a decent start.

“Experience and control from Sam Read in the middle overs, along with some economical accuracy from Penberthy and Privett, pegged them back,” said Horler.