Lausen and Carr stand firm to guide Devon to Under-15 final
Devon Under-15s have made it through to the national final as they beat Essex by six wickets. After winning the toss Devon chose to bowl first and initially Essex were of to a flyer as the Essex openers punished every loose delivery. Rebecca Donohue responded well to trap Beth MacGregor lbw, and the introduction of spinner Rebecca Piddock proved pivotal as she bowled fellow opener Beth Langston. Piddock was backed up impressively by Clara Nielson and Tessa Dibble as between them they bowled 19 overs and claimed 5-15 to put a stranglehold on the Essex innings. Nielson picked up 3-9 and at one point was on a hat-trick. Julia Hayes and Miriam Harris also bowled six tight overs as Essex were dismissed for 107.
The initial loss of opener Esme Ansley put Devon on the back foot but the ever reliable Frances Lausen and Amara Carr shared yet another match winning partnership as they put on 92 for the second wicket. The loss of Lausen, run out for 32, gave Essex a glimmer of a chance as Rebecca Piddock soon made the trip back to the pavilion for a single. With Julia Hayes bowled for nought the jitters could have come in, but Carr stood firm and finished off the game in style, hitting the winning boundary which also brought up her half-century.
Devon now face Wales in the national final on September 6 at Taunton.