Devon's last eight hopes are dashed by Berkshire loss

DEVON'S hopes of a place in the last eight of the National Counties Trophy were dashed by a two-wicket defeat by Berkshire in a last-over nail-bitter on the Blundell's School Ground, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

- Conrad Sutcliffe

Matt Thompson and James Horler, captains past and present, shared a stand of 129 as Devon posted 327 for seven in 50 overs.

Johnny Connell's century gave Berkshire the platform to chase down the runs, which they did with two balls to spare.

Defeat meant Devon dead-heated with Buckinghamshire in the final table on four points. Net run rate was the decider for a place in the quarter-finals, which Bucks edged by 0.31.

Horler did not need reminding that 'catches win matches' when he reflected on the outcome and the reasons for it.

Devon dropped five catches when Berkshire batted, slips that ultimately proved costly.

"You could say we were the architects of our own failure," said Horler.