Police 200

Devonshire 202

An 88-run partnership between colts Allen Richardson and Jeremy Fray as well as skipper Dean Stephens’ four-wicket haul catapulted champions Devonshire to a comfortable seven-wicket win over challengers Police in the second round of the Central Counties Cup at Devonshire Recreation Club on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 201 for victory, Richardson (45 not out) and Fray (58) set about laying the foundation for the hosts’ convincing win with some sensible batting and excellent running between the wickets.

The pair came to together in the sixth over after opener Ricky Brangman jr (11) was judged lbw and quickly got on top of Police’s predominantly seam attack on a pitch offering variable bounce.

Fray rode his luck after twice being dropped in the deep to mark his Counties’ debut with a well-played half-century. The former PHC batsman reached the milestone off 88 balls in 110 minutes in the 26th over of the innings with a beautifully timed sweep shot over the mid-wicket boundary ropes for six off off-spinner Anderson Cumberbatch.

At the opposite end Richardson’s patience and wealth of experience shone through as he rotated the strike and executed a couple of forceful shots through the covers off the back foot.

But just when it looked as though the pair would go the distance and carry their team all the way to victory, Fray played across the line of a Cumberbatch delivery and was given out leg before in the 28th over. The stylish left handed bat faced 93 balls and stroked seven fours.

“Jeremy batted well despite being dropped twice. He batted really well while Allen looked good picking up the singles to set the stage for others to come,” said Devonshire coach Ricky Brangman sr.

Fray’s departure signalled the beginning of an awesome fireworks display during the latter stages of the innings as skipper Stephens (31) and vice-captain Derek Brangman (35 not out) virtually clubbed the Police attack into submission on a surface that gave little assistance to the bowlers.

Stephens followed up his dazzling performance earlier with the ball by belting five fours and a six during his pulsating 18-ball knock and along with the watchful Richardson added 45 runs in only four overs in a fiery third-wicket partnership that took out any remaining sting from a Police attack fast running out of ideas.

And when Stephens departed in the 32nd over, caught by opposite number Garvin Apricio at mid wicket attempting to lift Cumberbatch out of the park, cousin Derek Brangman picked up where he left off by slamming four fours and three sixes off 14 balls to keep younger brother Lamont busy fetching balls out in the nearby street.

Brangman shared in an unbroken 40-run fourth wicket stand with Richardson and had the added distinction of putting Police out of their misery in the 34th over with a well driven four off Apricio through long-on to spark celebrations around the grounds shortly after 5 p.m..

“I told Dean to go in there and push it a bit because we had a lot of batsmen coming behind and then Derek just went out there and continued on,” coach Brangman said.

Richardson’s controlled 64-ball knock that helped keep the innings intact contained five boundaries.

Cumberbatch claimed two for 45 off five overs to lead the Police attack while seamer Freston Hurdle had one for 36 off eight overs.

Earlier, Police got off to a flyer in ideal match conditions when openers Andrew Rollins (30) and Carlton Jackson (90) produced an opening partnership of 52 against a wayward Devonshire attack that struggled initially to find their line and length.

“I thought they got on top of the bowling early and batted well. I thought we slackened up a bit and at one stage it looked as though we were going to be chasing 300 runs,” Brangman said.

“I thought we bowled a bit wide and short earlier on. But when we started pitching it up and attacking the wicket we got better results.”

Rollins smashed six fours and faced 44 balls before he was bowled by Dennis Williams who also claimed the wicket of Cumberbatch (0) in the same over as the home team gradually overcame a patchy start with the new ball.

Devonshire struck again five overs later when Police skipper Apricio (four) was trapped in front of the stumps by Lamont Brangman as the visitors slumped from 52 without loss to 68 for three inside five overs.

But there was always hope for Police in the form of Jackson as long as the batsman remained at the crease. He reached a deserved half-century off 82 balls after being dropped by Richardson at mid wicket while in the 20s and appeared destined for a century. However, his superb innings came to an abrupt halt in the 34th over when Stephens cupped a return catch off his own bowling.

Jackson hit 14 fours and two sixes and along with all-rounder Dennis Archer (42) added 99 runs for the fourth wicket in 14 overs.

Archer tried to keep the momentum going, carving four fours and two sixes off 36 balls, but ultimately fell eight runs shy of a half-century when he was caught by Derek Brangman to give Stephens his second wicket of the innings.

Stephens, who had outstanding figures of four for 23 off ten overs including six maidens, then went on to add the scalps of middle order bats Dwight Thompson (six) and Dennis Joel (0) in quick succession during his second spell with the old ball as Police lost their last five batsmen for 34 runs in seven overs.

“Dean bowled a good line and length and took crucial wickets for us attacking the stumps,” Brangman said. “I thought we played well as a team and I’m very proud of the guys and just hope that they continue playing for each other.”

Williams finished with two for 58 off ten overs while off-spinner Richardson also enjoyed a fine all-round performance by claiming two for 23 off 7.2 overs with three maidens.