Match Report: Hertfordshire vs Devon Women

Devon Women missed out on a place in the Vitality Blast! Women's League Three finals day despite securing two bonus-point wins at Tring Park CC on Sunday.

Convincing wins over Hertfordshire left the side joint top of the South group, but Wiltshire progress to finals day courtesy of a better net run rate.

Game 1

Devon Women opened their T20 double-header against Hertfordshire with a commanding 31-run victory, built on Elle Golsworthy's explosive half-century and a disciplined bowling performance.

After being sent in, Devon's innings was anchored by Golsworthy's blistering 51 off 36 balls (10 fours), who dominated an opening stand of 65 with Hollie Perkin (11). Though the middle order stuttered slightly, Katie Donovan's late cameo (22* off 10) propelled the visitors to a competitive 145-5. Hertfordshire’s bowlers struggled for consistency, with only Cara Castleman (1-15) and Elena Newbould (1-17) applying real pressure.

Devon struck early in defence, leaving the hosts 25/4 at the end of the powerplay. Ellie Bishop (3-16) dismantled the top order, removing Chloe Eayrs and Cara Castleman in quick succession, while skipper Stephanie Hutchins (3-19) accounted for key wickets, including the dangerous Sally Chapman (25). Eva Lewis (1-16) and Lilii (1-16) tightened the screws, restricting Hertfordshire to 114-8 despite a late flurry from Hayley Arrol (14*).

Scorecard

Hertfordshire 114/8 (K Boulton 25, S Chapman 25; E Bishop 3-16, S Hutchins 3-19)

Devon Women 145/5 (E Golsworthy 51, K Donovan 22; C Castleman 1-15, S Chapman 1-16, E Newbould 1-17, C Earys 1-19)

Devon Women beat Hertfordshire by 31 runs.

Game 2

Devon completed a clean sweep in the second T20, chasing down Hertfordshire's 117 with 34 balls to spare at a sun-drenched Tring Park CC. After being made to bowl first, Devon's attack was led by Imogen Daldorph (3-8), who ripped through the middle order, including the key wicket of Katia Boulton (29). Hertfordshire faltered to 43-3 before Edie Stanley (25*) and Jenna-May Botha (14) offered resistance, but tight spells from Eva Lewis (1-16) and Jojo Baylis (1-18) restricted them to 117-7.

Despite losing three wickets inside the first two overs, Emily Wilson (1-10) and Hayley Arrol (1-12) striking early, Devon's chase was powered by a match-winning 78-run stand between Ellie Bishop (35) and skipper Hutchins (34). Hertfordshire's 21 wides eased the pressure, with Bishop and Hutchins' partnership helping seal victory in just 14.2 overs.

Scorecard

Hertfordshire 117/7 (K Boulton 29, E Stanley 25*; I Daldorph 3-8, E Lewis 1-16)

Devon Women 118/4 (E Bishop 35*, S Hutchins 34*; E Wilson 1-10, H Arrol 1-12, J Botha 1-23)

Devon Women beat Hertfordshire by 6 wickets.

David Joseph's Post-Match Thoughts

"The aim of Sunday's games was to get two bonus points and see if that was enough. We achieved that with a lot of positive cricket.

"Results didn’t go our way, so we lost out on Finals on Net Run Rate, but it's been a really good T20 season from the squad, where we've developed a lot and there is clear progression in the way we've played.

"We'll review and work hard on certain areas during the winter. Congratulations to Wiltshire and good luck on Finals Day."

Steph Hutchins' Post-Match Thoughts

"We played two very convincing games of T20 cricket. We set the tone early with bat in the first game with our best powerplay of the competition. This momentum continued throughout our batting innings, allowing us to get to a great total to defend.

"We went into the second innings knowing what we had to keep the bonus point in play. The team fielded and bowled well, which allowed us to keep them to what we wanted to.

"We lost the toss second game but got put back in the field, which was to our benefit as we were in a great rhythm. We backed up our last fielding and bowling performance into the second game.

"We had a great run rate in our second batting innings despite losing some early wickets. We made the decision to settle into the game a little and take a little more time to construct the innings. Once settled, the batters felt that they were in a good position to chase the bonus point with the aim to achieve chasing the runs before the start of the 16th over.

"We played really good strategic cricket throughout the day, which was great to witness and to be a part of."

Up Next

Devon Women host Hertfordshire at Budleigh Salterton CC in our final home Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture on Sunday, 10 August.