
Devon Women finished the 50-over ECB County Championship season top of Group 3 on maximum points after a 134-run victory over Warwickshire at Exeter CC on Sunday.
Ruby Davis, who captained the side for the first time, won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Emma Corney and Amelie Munday scored 52 in the first powerplay before losing Munday for 25.
A theme for the innings was the way in which the team built partnerships through positive batting and running. Corney and Ruby Davis put on 39 for the second wicket before the big partnership of 107 between Emma Corney and Ellie Bishop took Devon to 198 for 3 in the 35th over, when Bishop fell for a well-constructed 42.
Emma Corney was out soon after for an important 82, leaving the middle order a real platform to finish the innings strongly, with Jemima Vereker (28) and Hollie Perkin (24*) both adding late crucial runs. Devon finished the innings 280 for 6, which would prove to be a very challenging total for the Warwickshire batters.
As with previous games, Devon started strongly with the ball as Katie Donovan bowled Beth Charnell in the first over. Warwickshire rebuilt well with Gwenan Davies (27) leading the recovery. Her dismissal in the 14th over would prove crucial for Devon; Ruby Davis with an excellent diving catch at midwicket off the bowling of JoJo Baylis. Devon's fielding throughout the innings would prove to be a major factor in the win.
When pace came off spinners Ellie Bishop (4-28) and Eva Lewis slowed Warwickshire's progress and this was assisted by two outstanding direct hit run outs by Hollie Perkin. It was left to Eliza Heard to finish the innings off, clean bowling Holly Whitfield and giving Devon a bonus point 134-run victory.
David Joseph's Post-Match Thoughts
"Today's result is reward for the hard work put in by the whole squad this season in 50-over cricket. Each game has seen progression and every player putting their hand up at a crucial point in the game.
"I'm so pleased with the team performance but it was the little bits that made the difference: excellent running between the wickets to build partnerships and the fielding unit stepping up to support the bowlers, including Hollie's two direct hit run outs and Ruby's diving catch. These added to strong individual performances by the batters and bowlers."
Ruby Davis' Post-Match Thoughts
"To finish the 50-over league unbeaten shows both how strong this team really is and how far we’ve come as a squad.
"The way each player contributed to a huge win was great to see."
Scorecard
Devon Women 280-6 (E Corney 82, E Bishop 42, J Vereker 28; E Churms 3-48, H Whitfield 1-31)
Warwickshire 146ao (G Davies 27, N Smitten 22; E Bishop 4-28, E Heard 1-14).
Devon Women beat Warwickshire by 134 runs.
Up Next
Devon Women are next in action on Sunday, July 28 for a T20 double-header against Oxfordshire and Wales at Topsham St James CC.