Wiltshire CCC fall to heavy defeat in final NCCA Championship fixture against Devon
Devon CCC v Wiltshire CCC - NCCA Championship @ Sidmouth CC, Sunday 21st August to Tuesday 23rd August 2022
A pleasant venue for Wiltshire’s final Championship match of the season and our hosts were very welcoming. The weather was somewhat unpredictable following our recent heatwave, but although it delayed the start of play it did not stop the match going ahead. The day began with a guard of honour for umpire David Gower standing in his last match.
Devon won the toss and elected to bat first. This decision was looking doubtful when Matthew Burton had two early strikes. James Hodder was the victim of a splendid catch by Matthew Falconer and then Adam Small was trapped LBW – Devon 16 for 2. However, Wiltshire had no more success until Elliot Hamilton 84 was run out thanks to the quick reactions of Jack Mynott. Hamilton and Matt Thompson had put on 189 for the 3rd wicket and Wiltshire were ruing missed opportunities with dropped catches. Calum Haggett 98 then joined Matt Thompson as they added 75 for the 4th wicket taking the score on to 280. Matt Thompson 128 completed a fine century which bound the Devon innings together. He departed just after lunch when he scooped the ball into the grateful hands of Ollie Meadows giving Wadworth Man of the Match Jack Mynott the first of his 5 victims Calum Haggett 98 saw the score move on to an imposing 402 before falling victim to another run out. Showing considerable sportsmanship he ‘walked’ as the unsighted umpire hadn’t raised his finger. Jack Mynott completed his 5 wicket haul, 5 for 67, as the Devon innings closed on 402 with an over to spare. Oliver Meadows contributed to Jack’s haul by taking 3 catches.
This left Wiltshire to face a few overs at the end of the day and Devon were delighted to claim a wicket as a mix up saw Ollie Meadows run out after taking the score to 41 with Jack Mynott and both looking relatively untroubled. The innings continued on day 2 after a rain delay with Devon making regular inroads in to the Wiltshire batting. Jack Mynott was the first to go after another run out. Soon after this Max Shepherd 5 for 32 began his demolition of the Wiltshire defences. Only Jack Stearman76 stood firm until he too was eventually bowled by Shepherd. Tom Morton 31 offered some resistance until he skied a ball from Shepherd and was caught by Szymanski. Wiltshire were finally dismissed for 225 well short of the total they needed to avoid the follow on. They had two uncomfortable overs to face at the end of the day and edged the score on to 9 for 0 wickets.
The final day began at 10:30 to make up some time for the time lost to the weather. Sadly for Wiltshire the early start simply meant an early trip home back along the A303! Max Shepherd continued where he left off and had the Wiltshire batsmen in all kinds of trouble and his 8 for 40 haul saw Wiltshire dismissed before lunch for 99 – a disappointing result for Wiltshire, but a result that saw Devon leapfrog Wales to claim a spot in the Western 1st Division next season. Skipper Ed Young 34 offered some resistance until he too became one of Shepherds 13 victims in the match.
Thanks to Devon for their customary friendliness and excellent hospitality. Good luck next season.
Devon beat Wiltshire by an innings and 78 runs
*Click on the videos tab to view match highlights
