This year’s Super 8s Finals Day took place at Bovey Tracey. It marks the first time the Pairs, Plate, and Luscombe Trophy finals were all staged together, creating a spectacular day of cricket not to forget.

Super 8s Pairs Final

Hatherleigh vs Ottery St Mary

It was a showdown between Hatherleigh and Ottery St Mary for the Super 8s Pairs Trophy. Hatherleigh won the toss, choosing to bowl first; they took to the field. Ottery got off to a flying start, with the opening batters Eva Bowring (31*) and Melissa Wall (5) setting the standards. A direct hit from Shelia Quick slowed down the runs from the next pair, but the runs didn’t stop coming after that. Cath Dockley (21*) and Hayley Blackmore (17*) added a steady few, and Abbie Sullivan top scored with 43* runs, to end their innings on 392 runs!

With a big chase up ahead, Hatherleigh set out to bat with Liz Chapman (4) and Kate Scrivener (8) at the crease first. Ottery St Mary’s bowling was tight, restricting the runs early from Hatherleigh’s batters. Hazel Scrivener (11) and Willow Nicholls (2) added a partnership of 13, with Shelia Quick (7) and Ann-Marie Presswell (7) adding another 14 runs. Hope was not all lost when Kirsty Hambley (27) and Kate Sluggett (5) hit boundary after boundary. In the end, their efforts weren't enough, and they ended up 128 runs short.

Ottery St Mary won the first Super 8s pairs final!

Super 8s Plate Final

Cornwood vs Whimple

Cornwood returned to the final looking to take their plate back home, but first, they had to beat Whimple. Cornwood won the toss and chose to bat first. The early loss of Sophia Oxenham (1) and Heather Lawrie (7) gave Whimple the upper hand at the beginning. However, Captain Helly Simpson hit an impressive 33* to retire and bring her side back into contention. Imogen Garland (30*) and Charlotte Shutt (19) followed suit, ending their innings on 130 runs.

Whimple came out with one thing on their mind: winning the plate. Despite losing Bex McMurren (10) and Sophie Bomby (0) early, Megan Drury (30*) and Nat McMurren (13) made sure runs were adding up on the scoreboard, edging them ever closer. A direct runout from Helly Simpson saw the end of Nat McMurren’s innings, and Holly Walsh walked up to the crease. Scoring a rapid 32* off 18 balls, Holly saw her side all the way to the end, chasing down 130 in just 12 overs!

Whimple took home the Plate, beating defending champions Cornwood!

Luscombe Super 8s Trophy Final

Taunton Deane vs Plymouth

Plymouth won the Luscombe Super 8s Trophy due to extenuating circumstances, resulting in Taunton Deane having to concede the game.

In its place, the Luscombe Invitational Super 8s took place with Plymouth taking on a combined Cornwood/Bovey Tracey team, in memory of Kelly Luscombe. It was a competitive game with Gemma Lancaster (30*), Lucy Hulbert (30*), and L Bale (27) top scoring in the game!

All three finals were overseen by our very own female umpires, Megan Hayward and Grace Golsworthy, making it an all-female-powered Finals Day and adding an extra spark to an already unforgettable occasion!

If you would like more details about the day, how the teams were feeling on the day and in-the-moment results, check out the Devon Women’s Cricket League Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The 35-over league is back in action over the coming weeks, with every run and wicket set to shape the battle for the title.