4:43pm Monday 7th September 2009
By Mercury sports reporter
Cockspur Rum National Twenty20 Cup area finals day, Bridgwater Red Sox v North Devon
BRIDGWATER Red Sox asked North Devon to bat and it was the visitors who drew first blood as Neil Bettis and Rich Gear smashed their way to 51-1 off the first six overs.
North Devon used the fielding restrictions to full advantage, while only losing Gear for an awesome 33 off only 13 balls, bowled by Ian Higgins.
However, Steve Davis brought himself on and, showing immaculate line and length, changed the game completely as he produced the remarkable figures of six wickets for only five runs, as North Devon collapsed to 90 all out.
Mitch Windsor took 1-17 off his four overs to support his skipper in this remarkable turnabout, which showed in full the vagaries of this form of the game.
The Red Sox were in trouble themselves as they struggled to 14-3 but it was to be Davis' match as he struck a powerful 41 not out off 24 balls, ably supported by Michael Coles' more cautious 30.
The pair crucially got their side home in only 11 overs, which provided them with an excellent net run rate.
Match Scores: North Devon 90 all out (16 overs) – R. Gear 33, N. Bettis 14, D. Bowser 11, R. Axe 11, Steve Davis 6-5, Mitch Windsor 1-17, Chris Skidmore 1-13, Ian Higgins 1-36. Red Sox 91-4(11 overs) – Steve Davis 41no, Michael Coles 30, J. Overton 2-33, M. Westaway 1-17. Red Sox won by six wickets.
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