The 2002 Season (3)

Devon having won all 7 of their qualifying groups in the west region now qualified for the quarter-final. The draw saw Devon playing at home against Hertfordshire at Exmouth Cricket Club. In a low scoring game Devon howled and fielded superbly and restricted the Hertfordshire batsmen. In reply despite losing early wickets the Devon batsmen soon over hauled the Hertfordshire score with Coe, Howard and Canning providing useful knocks.

 

The semi-final saw Devon drawn at home to Oxfordshire who had previously beaten last year’s finalists. The game was played at Sandford and having batted first Devon once again produced an outstanding batting performance in depth by once again reaching 230 in their allotted overs (Macey 95). Despite a quick fire start from the Oxford openers they simply had no answer to Devon ’s bowling and fielding and eventually fell well short of Devon ’s total. Lott was the pick of the Devon bowlers but with some outstanding catches and ground fielding Devon were looking forward to the final with anticipation.

 

Having been drawn away to Lancashire at Liverpool Cricket Club Devon were at full strength for the final. Lancashire having qualified for the finals in five out of the last eight years were obviously going to be one of the toughest tests yet. However, Theedom having won the toss and elected to bat Devon soon stamped their authority on the game with an opening stand of 45 before Macey joined Whitby at the crease. Whitby was in tine form and scored 73 before he was out having shared a partnership with Macey of 138 runs. Macey continued to score quickly all around the wicket and scored a magnificent 103 of 113 balls before he was ho\\ led. The Sandford pair both Howard and Theedom then smashed the Lancashire bowlers to all parts of the ground and Devon finally finished on 255 for 3. Expecting a determined reply from Lancashire the Devon bowler’s responded and outstanding spells of howling from Rose and Lott put Lancashire under severe pressure. At 45 for 3 Fames and Stanton took wickets and Lancashire found it impossible to increase the run rate. With 10 overs remaining Lancashire were faced with an impossible task although Whittle continued to score runs and was on 75 not out when their innings closed on 174 for 7. Devon won by a comfortable 81 runs and the National Over 50’s trophy was presented to the successful Devon learn by the ECB representative Frank Kemp. This is only the second time in their history that Devon has won the trophy. The previous occasion being in 1988       Next