Devon girls beat Yorkshire to take National Title

Devon’s Under 13 girls secured victory over Yorkshire in the National Final and join the Under 15’s in becoming National Champions. They defeated Yorkshire by 22 runs at Clifton CC a small village club in Derby. It was a bit of a journey for both counties but after the horrendous weather we have had over the summer it was great to actually get the match played. After winning the toss Yorkshire decided to bowl and with excellent opening spells from Jess Watson and Millie Wallis Devon were 10 for 1 off 8 overs. Devon started to get going when Rebecca Bertrand came to the crease hitting some glorious shots and at 15 overs were 43 for 2, still a long way short of where Devon wanted to be, but at the crease were Devon’s to premier batswomen in Rebecca Bertrand and Jodie Dibble. Yorkshires bowling was still very tight with Hope Jennings first spell only conceding 6 runs. But the quality of batting from the two Devon girls started to show as they pushed the score along to 76 off 22 overs and with 8 overs left 130 was looking promising. Unfortunately Rebecca Bertrand was removed for a brilliant 36 and that’s when the game turned and Yorkshire took control, with Mille Wallis coming back for her second spell and taking 4 wickets including a hat trick. Devon suddenly went from 76 for 3 to 82 for 7. Captain Jodie Dibble was still in and hit some beautiful cover drives to take the score up to 100 but was then bowled for a well played 22. Devon finished on 107 for 8 off their 30 overs, Millie Wallis pick of the Yorkshire bowlers with figures of 4-10 off 6 overs. A some what below par score but still defendable with some early wickets and tight bowling Devon could do it.

All season Devon’s bowling has been their strongest suit so they were fairly confident they could win, with 3 bowlers going at less than 2 an over and 4 bowler’s in double figures for wickets taken. The key for Devon was early wickets and the crucial wicket of Jess Watson, Yorkshires captain and their top bat. Jodie Dibble bowled superbly with pace and accuracy and got the important wicket of Watson bowled for 5 and then Megan Storey for a golden duck Dibble was well supported by Emily Ward who took a wicket herself and after 8 overs Yorkshire were 19 for 3, with three of their main bats back in the pavilion. The pressure was on Yorkshire and with Rebecca Bertrand being introduce into the attack it got no easier and Yorkshire were reduced to 33 for 8 after 15 overs, Bertrand taking 4-7 off 4 overs. A brilliant first half to the innings but Yorkshire still had their opening batswoman in Ellyn Clarke at the crease and she was playing well. With the excitement of being National Champions Devon dropped their standards and extras started to flood at both ends. Devon never looked in danger of losing the game but for a superb effort by Clarke and Firth who put on 38 for the 9th wicket started to wake Devon up and with the introduction of Bertrand she took the wicket of Firth and claimed her fifth wicket. With two overs to go and needing 32 to win with one wicket in hand, Devon were there, National Champions and Yorkshire finished on 85 for 9, Clarke batting right through for 25, if she only had a little more support you never know what might of happened. Devon’s pick of the bowler’s were Rebecca Bertrand 6-0-17-5 and Jodie Dibble 6-2-5-2. An excellent performance by Devon who were lacking experience at the beginning of the season and with every game improved, but in having an excellent cricketer and captain in Jodie Dibble and the experience of Rebecca Bertrand they led the way for what the other girls lacked at the beginning.