HEREFORDSHIRE head coach Richard Skyrme was delighted with this team after they cruised to a 67-run win over Devon in their opening National Counties 50-over competition clash at the picturesque Instow ground near Bideford.

“It was a very good all-round team performance,” said Skyrme.

“We showed plenty of determination when the game could have run away from us.

“It was a gutsy display and everyone contributed. We showed plenty of team spirit and it was an excellent start to the season.”

After skipper Matt Pardoe won the toss and elected to bat, Ben Chapman-Lilley (18) and Alex Hinkley (26) provided a solid start with an opening stand of 43.

Nick Hammond (46) then advanced the total with Pardoe who announced his arrival with a large six over long-on before eventually holing out for 29, trying to repeat the effort.

Scoring was never easy on a slow pitch, but Dave Ball (47) increased the rate towards the end of the visitors’ innings before Barney Morgan provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 28 from 21 balls which took the total to a competitive 232-7

With the ball Tom Hage (2-17) picked up a couple of early wickets and Morgan (2-45) collected a third before a stand of 66 for the fourth wicket stand of 62 put the hosts at 106-3.

Russell (2-37) collected a couple of victims with his leg-spin and wickets fell steadily to give them victory. The county side entertain Cornwall at Eastnor on Sunday, June 13.