PAUL BOLTON AT WEST BROMWICH DARTMOUTH CC

CONNER Haddow put Buckinghamshire in control of the NCCA Cluberly Championship final by taking a career-best seven for 70 to dismiss Devon for 166 on the second day at West Bromwich Dartmouth.

The slow left-armer, who has been trialling with Northamptonshire, took his wickets haul to 30 in his last five innings and 93 in 13 matches in the competition over the last three seasons. That remarkable figure  includes 24 wickets in five innings at West Bromwich Dartmouth, with power to add in the second innings.

Haddow took his first wicket, Elliot Hamilton caught behind from a ball that looped off his bat via his pad to wicketkeeper George Harvey, from the golf course end of the ground. All his others came when he switched to the Birmingham Road End, from which Devon slow left-armer Callum Harvey had taken his six wickets on Sunday.

Devon’s first innings was almost a replica of Buckinghamshire’s with just one innings of substance – Ben Privett’s 67 – a collapse from 111 for four to 138 for nine before the last-wicket pair gave the total a late boost.

Craig Penberthy and Matt Jeacock added 28 before Penberthy went lbw to Haddow, which reduced Buckinghamshire’s first-innings lead to 51. That was extended to 110 for the loss of three wickets before thunder and lightning forced the umpires to take the players off for safety reasons one ball into the evening session.

With Haddow scenting a third successive ten-wicket match haul and only two batters – Privett and Buckinghamshire’s Alexei Kervezee – having passed 40, or played with certainty so far, Devon will need to bat well in the fourth innings on a turning pitch if they are to avenge their heavy defeat in the final two years ago.

This match has been more evenly contested and Devon might have got a little closer to Buckinghamshire’s first innings 217 with some better shot selection and execution.

Captain James Horler was caught behind slashing at Tom Weymes – and was furious with himself for doing so ­ and Harvey and Sam Read both fell to off-side catches forcing the pace against Haddow.

Seamer Ed Bragg bowled most of the overs at the other end and had Privett caught behind, then ended Seb Linnitt’s innings with a beauty that struck off-stump.

Penberthy and Jeacock enjoyed themselves at the end of the innings before Haddow claimed his seventh wicket and bettered his previous career-best return of seven for 91 against Cambridgeshire at Chesham last month.

It came as no surprise when Harvey opened the bowling for Devon, as Haddow had on Sunday evening, and he struck with his sixth ball when Billy Dodds went lbw.

Ewan Cox decided that attack was the best form of defence and thumped six fours and a six in his 30-ball 36 before he went caught behind driving at Penberthy.

Max Uttley was pushed up the order but soon departed to a low catch by Lawrence Walker at second slip off Penberthy before Kervezee joined Moiz Rana and steered Buckinghamshire to 59 three when the rain arrived.

Horler, the Devon captain, said it may have been a disappointing day but the game is still there to be won.

“Our target was to draw level then etch out a lead,” said Horler. 

"Disappointing to not get in a position to do so after being 111 for three. However, kudos to Haddow and Bucks as they bowled well on a very spinner-friendly wicket. 

“Let’s not forget a crucial 28-run partnership for the tenth wicket that contained some textbook pull shots from Penberthy.”

Horler agreed the pitch is ‘tricky’ to bat on but added: “It is by no means unplayable.”

Looking ahead to day three and possibly beyond, Horler said: “We are going to have to step up to the mark and be confident we can chase whatever Bucks set, which I have no doubt we can do.”