CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
DEVON go into the last round of Cluberly Western Division One matches with the prospect of reaching two finals in their sights.
The Twenty20 white-ball side is already through to finals day in the Dojo Cup and an appointment with Berkshire in the last four on August Bank Holiday Sunday.
Devon easily defeated Buckinghamshire at Exeter to book a trip to Wormsley on finals day. Follow this link to order your finals day tickets.
If Devon win or draw against Wiltshire in the three-day match starting at Salisbury tomorrow, they will retain the Division One title won last year. Do that and will challenge the Eastern Division One table toppers in the Championship play-off in early September.
Suffolk (50pts) and Buckinghamshire (48pts) are neck-and-neck in the East Division with a game to go.
Devon know are thing or two about reaching Championship play-offs having faced Buckinghamshire in them in 2023 and 2025. They lost both.
James Horler, skipper of Devon’s red-ball and 50-over side, said: “We set out for some silverware this season, and we’re still within a chance of two trophies.”
Devon know a draw against Wiltshire should be enough to secure the divisional crown for the second year running, which is an insurance policy should the weather play a significant role.
Third-in-the-table Wiltshire (52pts) are the only team in the five-strong division capable of catching Devon (58) in the final batch of matches. Second-placed Oxfordshire (56) have no games left.
It is a winner-takes-all climax to the title chase, which suits Horler down to the ground. He believes experiences gained short and long term will work in Devon’s favour.
“It is certainly set up for a good finish,” said Horler.
“It’s positive that we can focus on one game and not have to worry about other results going our way. I think we’ve probably earned that liberty after our performances across the formats this season.
“These games are where those defeats in the previous finals will come in handy in understanding how to handle the pressure better, and also how to apply it.
“Confidence is high within the group. A great victory over Bucks in the Twenty20 quarter-final solidified our belief of what we can achieve this season.”
Devon won’t be playing it safe against Wiltshire. They will stick to playing positive cricket with the aim of getting a win.
“Nothing is going to change mind-set wise going into this game,” said Horler. “We’ve put ourselves in great positions over the last three games, and have experience in pressure situations like these.”
Exmouth all-rounder Cam Kidd comes in for the unavailable James Matravers in the only change to the Devon side.
Wiltshire are unchanged from the side that defeated Berkshire, who had only been defeated twice across the previous 12 seasons. Nothing but a win will do for Wiltshire as a draw is unlikely to be enough due to bonus-point additions.
Ed Young, the Wiltshire skipper, said: “We say at the start of the game, ‘if it’s your day make sure you’re a match winner, and if it’s not, find a way to contribute’.
“We had a couple of players put in match-winning performances with Jack Mynott scoring 158, and Sam Freestone taking nine wickets in the match, as well as Joe King who took ‘5fer’ in Berkshire’s second innings.”
Wiltshire: J M A Mynott, C A Shafil, W L Naish, E G C Young, J B Lintott, J Goodwin, T C C Cheater, C D Aubrey, S P S F Freestone, A Pascoe, J M King.
Devon: E H Hamilton, S J Elstone, J D Horler, B H Privett, S J Linnitt, C G Kidd, S O Read, C F Harvey, M W Thompson, G H Daldorph, M G Whalley.
