DEVON take on Hertfordshire at Sidmouth on Sunday with a place in the last eight of the NV-Play Trophy at stake.
In a three-way fight in the Group Three qualifying pool, leaders Wiltshire (6pts), second-placed Berkshire (4) and Devon (4) in third are jockeying for a top-two spot. Neither Hertfordshire or Herefordshire can qualify.
A victory over winless Hertfordshire will give Devon a great chance of qualifying, although what happens in the match between Wiltshire and Berkshire at Warminster could have a knock-on effect.
Should Devon and Berkshire win all three contenders will be level on six points. Then net run-rate will come in to play to determine the one-two-three. Wiltshire go into the last round on +1.57; Berkshire are +0-71 and Devon +0.48. All Devon can do is beat Hertfordshire and watch out for the result from Warminster.
“We need to win and win well,” said Devon’s performance director Tim Western in a matter-of-fact way.
James Horler, the Devon captain, had a little bit more to say.
“It is a crunch game on Sunday, as it always seems to be in these competitions.,” said Horler
“There’s an opportunity for the net run-rate fanatics to have an exciting day, but we’re just focusing on the task at hand.
“You can get caught up in trying to win well etc, but you can have no effect on the other game.”
Devon go into the game on the back of a dramatic T20 game against a Somerset XI at Exmouth, which they lost by just two runs.
A youthful Somerset side, led out by Exeter and Devon all-rounder Fin Hill, made 174 for four with Bertie Michael top-scoring on 83.
James Matravers, the former Honiton all-rounder now on the Academy-Plus register at Gloucestershire, impressed with two wickets in his first over. He may come into consideration for the Trophy match as cover for the injured George Greenway.
A ding-dong chase came to a thrilling climax after some lower-order heroics from Matt Whalley and Charlie Ward.
Whalley and Ward added 53 in a rapid unbroken ninth-wicket partnership which revived Devon after their chase had been derailed by the loss of three wickets for two runs in six balls.
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