DEVON are through to the last-eight knock-out stages of the NCA Trophy despite a seven-run defeat at Cornwood in their final group qualifying game.
Both sides were in with a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, although the pre-match odds were stacked heavily in Devon’s favour.
The only way Cornwall could reach the last-eight knockout stages of the 50-over competition was by beating Devon AND improving their net run-rate at the same time.
Although Cornwall won the match in a thrilling last-over finale, once Devon reached 193 chasing 271 to win they were guaranteed a place in the last eight.
If Devon went on to win the game they had a chance to gain home advantage in the quarter-finals if group leaders Berkshire lost, which they did by four runs against Buckinghamshire.
Sadly, for Devon, their defeat by Cornwall means they will face Cheshire at Oxton this Sunday – it’s on the Wirrall near Liverpool – instead of being at home to Dorset at Sandford.
“With Berkshire losing we missed the opportunity to top our group and if we are going to progress it will have to be done the hard way,” said Dave Tall, the Devon team manager.
Jake Rowe’s battling 95 not out rescued Cornwall from an unimpressive 73 for five and meant Devon had to work harder than they had hoped if they wanted to win the game.
Rowe and Alex Bone hauled Cornwall round with a stand of 109 for the sixth wicket. John Moon chipped and chased his way to 36 off 25 balls while adding 68 with Rowe for the eighth wicket towards the final total of 270 for nine.
“It was always going to be an uphill battle for us from 73 for five, but Jake and Alex put on a crucial partnership, and to post 270 was a fantastic effort from that position,” said Paul Smith, the Cornwall captain.
Dave Tall, Devon CCC’s cricket manager, had a different take on the Cornwall innings.
“Our seamers bowled without much discipline and plan,” said Tall. “Consequently, we gave Cornwall at least 50 or even 60 too many runs.”
Matt Skeemer (2-50), who opened the bowling for Devon picked up two wickets in his first spell and deflected Leathley on-drive on to the stumps to run-out Billy Taylor in the first over. None of the other seamers operated at five an over or below.
“Our seamers bowled without much discipline and plan,” said Tall. “Consequently, we gave Cornwall at least 50 or even 60 too many runs,” said Tall.
Best of the bowling was supplied by spinners Jamie Stephens (4-35) and Sam Read (1-41).
Devon’s target was always qualifying for the last eight and they knew the arithmetic when they went out to bat.
Opener Elliot Hamilton used up 121 balls getting to 82. No one else made much of a contribution until Calum Haggett arrived and started to play a few shots.
One of his five sixes left an expensive dent in a parked Audi convertible. Another six took Devon past the 193 needed to guarantee qualification for the last eight. Rowe hadn’t finished with Devon yet as the four for 40 he took in the final 10 overs derailed their chase.
Some lusty blows by Stephens, Skeemer and last man Kazi Szymanski, whose reverse hook over the third-man boundary off Rowe was the shot of the day, got the target down to eight from the last two balls.
Skeemer was stumped by Bone off Rowe going for a big hit.
Tall admitted he was ‘bitterly disappointed by the way’ Devon lost, although there were some compensations.
“Elliot and Call, especially, batted very well with a few handy 'cameos' around them,” said Tall.
“On a positive note we have gone very close to being four from four so we have proved we are improving and not far away.”
