Devon win final match to finish as youth champions

DEVON won their final match of the season when defeating Glamorgan 10-5, avenging their only defeat by the Welsh side back in November and it was enough to see them crowned Section Three champions of the Southern Counties Youth League.

They went into the fixture six points adrift of leaders Bristol but put in an admirable performance at Heavitree Social Club, Exeter, to finish top of the table with just the one defeat and four points to spare.

The visitors won the first point of the day in the opening set of the Under 18s fixture, only for Jordan Grimshaw (20.46) and Cliff Townsley (17.59) both to win 3-1.

Glamorgan levelled at 2-2 but Frankie Stout (18.56) showed grit and determination when coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2, followed by a 3-0 victory for Owen Bates (22.43).

The last point went to the visitors, but it was a solid 4-3 victory on which to build

. . . And build they did.

That scoreline soon became 7-3 in Devon’s favour when, in the ladies’ match, Rhea Winsor, Cleo Trelease (14.72) and Emma Leverett all won 3-1.

Devon lost the opening set of the Under 21s only for Kieren Peek (25.47) to emerge a 3-0 winner, aided by two maximum scores.

Sam Palmer (17.89) followed with a 3-0 victory before Harry Bull (26.87) (pictured) put in a man-of-the-match performance when winning 3-1.

The young marksman shared the first two legs before clinching victory in 15 and 14, aided by a top score of 180.

Glamorgan won the last point, but victory and the championship had already been achieved, capping a superb season’s performance from the young Devon squad.