Devon Women made it five Metro Bank One Day Cup wins on the bounce as they saw off a brave Wiltshire side in a close encounter at Warminster CC.

Devon, batting first after winning the toss, posted 250/9 from their 50 overs. Jemima Vereker anchored the innings with 85 from 110 balls, striking 14 fours, sharing a 33-run stand with Ellie Bishop (14) and adding 72 with Melissa Story (29) for the fourth wicket. Georgia Read contributed a brisk 42 from 40 balls, sharing a 32-run partnership with Ella Gill (27) and 42 with Exeter CC teammate Imogen Daldorph (23*). Sophie Gaiger (3-33) and Jemima Carroll (3-57) were the pick of the Wiltshire bowlers, while two run-outs hampered Devon's late acceleration.

Wiltshire's reply began solidly as Emma Godman (66) and Rosemary Elias (8) put on 57 for the first wicket. The breakthrough came for Devon at the end of the 11th over, as Bishop (1-34) and Daldorph combined to dismiss Elias. Godman reached her half-century from 60 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals, as Abbie Lockett (2-33) removed Isla Thomson (11), Steph Hutchins ran out Godman, and Maggie Haffenden (2-26) claimed Daisy Simpkins (12) and Emily Smith (0).

Lauren Adams (46) and Katherine Mills (21) added 62 for the seventh wicket, but Wiltshire lost their last four wickets for 44 runs, as Story and Read combined on the final ball of the 49th over to run out Cerys Griffiths in a dramatic end to the game.

Scorecard

Wiltshire 242 (E Godman 66, L Adams 46; M Haffenden 2-26, A Lockett 2-33)

Devon Women 250/9 (J Vereker 85, G Read 42; S Gaiger 3-33, J Carroll 3-57)

Devon Women beat Wiltshire by 8 runs.

Lauren Rowles's Post-Match Thoughts

"We showed real resilience on Sunday against Wiltshire. Jemima Vereker batted with great maturity and discipline for her 85, holding the innings together as wickets fell around her. Georgia Read added real intent at the back end with an excellent 42, two hugely valuable contributions that pushed us to 249.

"In the field, Melissa Story was outstanding with three run outs, backed up by a tight and disciplined bowling display across the group. We may not have been at our absolute best, but we found a way to win, and that's a sign of a strong team. We will keep pushing on as we build towards our next game against Cheshire."

Melissa Story's Post-Match Thoughts

"It's a great feeling to come away with the win, especially in such a close game. Plenty of credit to the whole team for sticking together and fighting right until the end to get over the line.

"There are plenty of positives to take from the performance, but we know there's still more to build on as a group. Hopefully, we can take the confidence from this result into the next game, keep improving, and continue building momentum as we head into the final few games!”

Up Next

Devon Women travel to Warrington Sports Club to face Cheshire on Sunday, 16 August.