Devon v Lancashire

ESCA Festival

Kings, Taunton

Toland crushes red rose

The third day of the Festival saw Devon take on Lancashire on the tiny pitch 6. After losing the toss Devon were asked to field. A solid batting performance from the Red Rose County was looking like taking them to a score in excess of 300, which in all fairness would have been a gettable total. JJ Debenham and Alex Carr bowled twelve tight overs and picked up a wicket apiece to restrict things and as Lancashire closed on 256-6 it was felt that their score wouldn't be enough.

To chase 250 at Under 12 level and get them is a pretty sound effort. That is just what the Devon lads did as the openers Gregory and Tuckett added 44 in quick time. The quick loss of Miles Lenygon and another low score from Henry Parkin saw Devon reduced to 100-4. Matthew Hickey looked like he had gor back into the runs with a well made 32 before he to perished. Matthew Thompson was then involved in his second consecutive century partnership, this time with James Toland. Together they added 113 for the 6th wicket. James Toland was brutal as he plundered the Lancashire attack for 77 from 40 balls. He fell as Devon were only 18 runs from victory. Will Gater was bowled shortly after and it was left to Thompson and Alex Carr to guide Devon home as Lancashire brought back their strike bowlers in an attempt to force victory. They were unable to do so as the two smallest players in the side ran superbly to get Devon home in the final over to gain sweet revenge for their Festival defeat in 2003.