CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
DEVON will meet Buckinghamshire in a repeat of the 2023 NCCA Cluberly Championship final at West Bromwich Dartmouth on Sunday after the combatants clinched the Western and Eastern Division titles on a rain-affected last day of the regular season.
Both sides secured top spot in their respective divisions despite not bowling a ball. Devon, 26 runs ahead against Oxfordshire going into the third and final day at Sidmouth, came away with nine-points from an early afternoon abandonment.
Sam Read’s six-for-43 bowling return on day one helped Devon to maximum bowling bonus points.
While Devon were able to start their celebrations early, Buckinghamshire faced a nervous six-hour wait after their match against Lincolnshire at High Wycombe was called off before they knew they had made the final.
Buckinghamshire were indebted to Cambridgeshire who narrowly denied Staffordshire the win that would have taken them to West Bromwich Dartmouth instead.
Cambridgeshire were nine wickets down against Staffs at Peterborough with their last pair of batters at the crease when time ran out.
James Horler, the Devon captain, said it was not the way he would have liked to win the Western Division. But you cannot control the elements.
‘It was a shame not to win or draw the game on the pitch, as it was set up for an exciting day of cricket, but there is nothing we can do about the weather,” said Horler.
“Without being selfish, we've had a number of rain results that haven't gone our way, so one that leads to a positive result for us is nice to have.”
Horler won’t need reminding the last time the two sides met ended in an embarrassing 550-run defeat for his side, which was skippered then by Jamie Stephens. Bucks set Devon an improbable 635 to win in the last innings, and bowled them out for a paltry 84.
Although the 2023 debacle isn’t forgotten, Horler is largely looking forward at not back.
“From a personal perspective, would've been nice to play a completely new side, as these finals are the only chance you get to play some teams from the East,” said Horler.
“The rules have played since 2023 and now, if it is a draw, the trophy is shared. So, even more incentive to go for the win!
“We will just be focusing on what has won us games this season. We beat Bucks in the 50-over knock-out cup and are confident we can do it again.
“Bucks have some strong players, but I have full belief in this side.”
Horler said Devon were a different proposition now with more depth throughout the side.
“The key difference is the depth in our side. Seven of our top eight have National Counties hundreds – and our bowling options have been exceptional,” said Horler.
“Our seamers have worked away in all the games, sometimes with little reward on more batter/spinner-friendly wickets, but have all been superb.
“And the quality of our spin attack – Read, Harvey and Stephens – has blown through some teams.
“Every person in the side has contributed a key performance or performances at some point in the season, something which not many other teams can say.”
Tim Western, Devon CCC’s performance director, said Horler’s assessment of the depth in the team was spot on.
“Over the four matches, strong performances came from across the whole squad with four different centurions and wickets shared around the bowlers,” said Western.
“There are a number of players who have made their debuts this season in the three-day format, and they will be pinching themselves that we travel to Birmingham this weekend to potentially be the best National County this year.
“Others who played two years ago in the final will want to go one better.”
The last of Devon’s seven Championship final wins – eight if you count a shared title with Bedfordshire in 2004 – came in 2011 when they defeated Cambridgeshire by 169 runs at March Town.
Devon’s other wins were in 1978, four in a row from 1992-1995, and 2006 when Buckinghamshire were defeated by 180 runs at Exmouth. Arwyn Jones' seven-wicket haul on the final day spun it Devon's way.
Near misses include 1954 against Surrey 2nd XI at the Oval, 1992 (Staffordshire) and Lincolnshire in 2003. Devon were runners-up in the old two-day competition to Yorkshire 2nd XI in 1968, but turned down the offer of a play-off.
