HALF-centuries from Callum Harvey and Seb Linnitt, and solid batting down the order, helped Western Division leaders Devon to post 342 against Berkshire at Blundell’s School.
Elliot Hamilton (30) and Sam Elstone (48) laid solid foundations with an opening partnership of 79 with Gloucestershire Academy all-rounder James Matravers again contributing useful middle-order runs.
Matravers went in at 164 for five and dominated a stand of 57 with Linnitt (65). He made 43, which included five fours and two sixes.
Harvey went in when Linnitt’s 140-minute stay ended and batted through to the end to make 68 not out. Sam Read (21) was 22 yards away from Harvey during a partnership worth 55 that nudged Devon towards maximum batting points.
Off-spinner Euan Woods took four for 63 and gave Devon most to think about and then shared a half-century partnership for Berkshire’s second wicket with acting-captain Rhys Lewis. Opener Will Hamilton went for a duck on debut– out third ball to Devon paceman George Daldorph – but Lewis (34 not out) and Woods (29 not out) took Berkshire to 69 for one.
Sandy Allen, the Devon coach, said he was impressed by the resilience of the team’s batting.
“We batted nicely, having won the toss, did the hard work and a lot of batters got started and started partnership but lost our wickets when looking to kick on,” said Allen.
“Each time we recovered well with two good 50s from Seb and Callum.
“We would have taken 342 all out and full batting points but I felt we could have got closer to 400.”
Allen said the priority on day two is early Berkshire wickets.
“It is a big day and we need a good start to be ‘on it’ and put pressure back on Berkshire,” said Allen.
