CUP THAT: The Heathcoat U15 side that defeated Dartington & Totnes by 64 runs in the Devon final of the Portman Cup. Their prize is a game against the Cornish champions in the national rounds.

HEATHCOAT U15s powered their way to victory in the Devon section of the Portman Cup with a 64-run win over Dartington.

   Having won the toss Heathcoat Captain, Will Denford, elected to bat. In perfect early evening conditions he and fellow opener Shane Evenden set the tone with a well-balanced opening stand of fifty before Denford was caught for 23.

   Sam Smith arrived at the crease and in a devastating display of attacking cricket scored 26 in one over hitting five fours and a six.

   He continued until he was also caught having scored 37 off just 18 balls. Evenden closely followed. having scored 23. but steady batting from Hugh McDowell and George Wheatley kept the score board ticking.

   When McDowell was out for 13 the score looked a little thin, but Jake Crouch entered the fray and scored 21 not out with two huge sixes in the final over. This left Heathcoat on 148-6 off their 20 overs.

   The reply from Dartington and Totnes was well measured and after eight overs they were ahead of the run rate. Opener Matt Hickey was well supported by Ryan Stevenson as they passed 40 runs for the loss of one wicket.

   Hugh McDowell was then called upon to bowl and in his first over took two wickets for just one run.

   This put great pressure on the batsmen as the asking rate began to grow. Further tight bowling saw George Wheatley capture the scalp of Hickey for a valiant 48.

   Justin Williams, who had failed with the bat, was then asked to bowl and he spun out the tail end, capturing four wickets for just six runs to leave Dartington & Totnes 84 all out. Interestingly all of the Dartington and Totnes batsmen were bowled.

   Heathcoat team manager Mike Denford said he was delighted with the whole team's performance and complimented them on some excellent cricket, especially in the field.

   Matt Theedom, the Devon development officer, presented the cup and medals to the Heathcoat players and praised the Dartington & Totnes team for their fortitude.

   The Heathcoat team will now play the Cornish Champions at Knightshayes at a date to be announced.

   Heathcoat 148-6 (S Smith 37, S Evenden 23, W Denford 23, J Crouch 21no; Veale    3-15), Dartington & Totnes 84 (M Hickey 48, J Williams  4-6, McDowell 2-23, G Wheatley 2-5).