Match Report: Berkshire vs Devon Women

The top two sides in League Three of the Metro Bank One Day Cup fought out a stalemate at Wokingham CC on Sunday, as both Devon Women and Berkshire came away with a victory apiece in the opening double-header of the Vitality Blast! Women's League Three season.

Game 1

Devon Women secured a hard-fought 15-run victory in the first game of the day, defending a total of 118 with a steady bowling performance.

After electing to bat, Devon's innings was anchored by a composed, unbeaten 51 from Elle Golsworthy. The loss of Jemima Vereker (4) in the first over brought Regina Lilii to the crease, and the pair constructed a crucial 74-run partnership, with Lilii contributing a patient 35 before falling to Shayna Chikhlia. Late cameos from Jojo Baylis (12) and Katie Donovan (3*) ensured Devon posted a competitive total, though Berkshire's bowlers kept things tight, with Freya Johnson and Mary Briscoe particularly economical.

Defending 118, Devon's seamers struck immediately. Katie Donovan (3-14) and Eliza Heard (1-15) dismantled Berkshire's top order, removing Izzy Storrar, Alex Avoth and Talitha Stanley within the first three overs and reducing the hosts to 12-3. Shristi Patil (35) and Poppy Camplin (37) threatened a fightback with a 69-run stand, but skipper Steph Hutchins (3-17) broke the resistance, trapping Patil before Baylis (2-22) removed Camplin. With the partnership broken, Devon comfortably kept the hosts at bay to secure a 15-run win, though they will have rued the missed fielding opportunities to finish the game off earlier.

Scorecard

Berkshire 103/9 (P Camplin 37, S Patil 35; K Donovan 3-14, S Hutchins 3-17)

Devon Women 118/3 (E Golsworthy 51*, R Lilii 35; I Storrar 1-11, F Johnson 1-16, S Chikhlia 1-23)

Devon Women beat Berkshire by 15 runs.

Game 2

Having won the toss and opted to bat first again, Devon's innings never found momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Elle Golsworthy (16), Ella Gill (4) and Regina Lilii (5) were all dismissed early, leaving the middle order exposed. Jemima Vereker (22) and Ellie Bishop (18) briefly steadied the ship with a 39-run stand, but once Bishop was caught at deep midwicket off Lily Bowlby, Devon lost momentum. Elizabeth Hall (17) offered late resistance on her competitive debut, but Talitha Stanley (3-25) and Shristi Patil (2-11) ripped through the lower order, with Devon losing their last five wickets for just 23 runs.

Defending a modest target, Devon needed early breakthroughs, but Berkshire's openers Alex Avoth (32) and Patil (24) raced to a 53-run stand inside eight overs. Regina Lilii (1-17) struck first, removing the dangerous Avoth, while Jojo Baylis (1-17) dismissed Patil to briefly spark hope. Talitha Stanley (19) and Izzy Storrar (27*) then guided Berkshire towards victory with a composed 33-run partnership. Katie Donovan (1-18) and Eva Lewis (1-10) claimed late wickets, but Storrar’s unbeaten knock ensured Berkshire crossed the line with one ball to spare.

Scorecard

Berkshire 106/4 (A Avoth 32, I Storrar 27*; E Lewis 1-10, R Lilii 1-17, J Baylis 1-17, K Donovan 1-18)

Devon Women 105ao (J Vereker 22, E Bishop 18; T Stanley 3-25, S Patil 2-11, L Bowlby 2-19)

Berkshire beat Devon Women by 6 wickets.

David Joseph's Post-Match Thoughts

"A bit of a mixed bag over the two games. When we were good, we were very good, but there were periods in both games where we were not at our usual high standards.

"What we will take out of the games is the team's attitude, desire and fight to get a result. Certainly Game 2, we did incredibly well to take the game to the last couple of balls defending a below-par score. 

"The structure of this season means the next game is just around the corner, so we'll look at the areas we need to improve and prepare for Wiltshire."

Steph Hutchins' Post-Match Thoughts

"We had a mixed day in the office this weekend, with some really great bits of cricket played. The first game was a good battle between bat and ball; however, our bowlers quickly took control of the game, helping us get over the line positively.

"With the second game, we fought hard with the ball. Regina, Jojo, Katie and Eva each picked up a wicket, and we kept pressure on through tight spells. We showed that we are a tough team to beat and that it's not easy to score runs against us.

"Although the result didn't go our way, there were positive moments to build on, including some strong individual performances and spells of excellent bowling. We'll regroup and focus on executing our skills with more consistency in the next fixture."

Up Next

Devon Women host Wiltshire at Budleigh Salterton CC in our only Vitality Blast! Women's League Three home fixtures on Sunday, 29 June.