Blake steers Cornwall to first win

Alex Blake smashed an unbeaten 160 as Cornwall defeated rivals Devon by five wickets in their latest NCCA Western Division One clash at Truro’s Boscawen Park.

Blake, who plays for Hayes CC in Kent, smashed 15 fours and nine sixes in a 149-ball second innings knock that gave Cornwall their first win in the competition this season.

He shared in partnerships of 71 with Karl Leathley, 50 with Will MacVicar and 105 with Jake Rowe as the Duchy moved to second in the current standings behind Berkshire.

In glorious conditions over the three days, Devon - who won the toss and elected to bat - posted a total of 120 in 42.1 overs in their first innings.

Wicketkeeper Matt Thompson top scored with 36, whilst the next best were Harry Southgate (23no) and Sam Read (20). Both Thompson and Read were out at the hands of Cornwall’s Will MacVicar, who finished with figures of 8-46 in 21.1 overs.

In reply, Cornwall posted a total of 171 to lead by 51 at the halfway stage. Blake was again the top performer, striking 48 before he was caught by Will Christophers off the bowling of Sam Read.

MacVicar and captain Paul Smith offered decent resistance in the middle order with 27 runs apiece, whilst for the Devon bowlers Read posted figures of 4-38, while Kai Szymanski took 4-59.

Devon’s second innings, however, did not get off to the best of starts as they lost James Horler and Ben Privett with just 22 runs accrued. Will Christophers and Sam Elstone also departed not long after, before the visitors rallied with a brilliant 174 run partnership between Thompson and Lawrence Walker.

Thompson helped himself to 83 off 168 balls, whilst Walker landed 88 in 177 balls as Devon recovered impressively to start posting a total they could defend.

Again, MacVicar bowled well, taking 4-85, which included nine maidens in his 33 overs, whilst Ellis Whiteford was equally profitable with 4-88.

Set a target of 284 to win, Cornwall’s chase did not begin well as they lost opener Max Tryfonos for a duck in just the second over.

Billy Taylor and Leathley were also dismissed before the hosts had posted a total of 117, but it was Blake who was starting to take centre stage, eventually bringing up his century with a wonderful six to ‘Cow Corner’.

Although Devon did their best to stay in contention in the latter stages, Blake was continually to punish them at every opportunity. Read again the pick of their bowlers with 4-76 in his 30 overs.

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