Devonshire Rec. 188 Three batsmen got in the 40s for Devonshire Rec. but the 238 posted by champions Police was just out of the reach of the challengers at Police Field as they lost by 50 runs in the second round of the Central Counties on Saturday.

It would have been closer had another batsman or two reached double figures for the former champions whose push for victory came from Dexter Smith's 44, 47 from Leon Place and 43 in the tail-end by captain Winston Trott Jr.

Police will now meet Western Stars in the Counties final on June 20.

Alfred Carter was the first Rec. batsman to fail, failling in the second over for a duck before the usually reliable Anthony Amory (six) followed in the eighth as Devonshire were in early trouble at 29-2. Smith, their most in-form batsman this season, was joined by Place in an important stand of 50 for the third wicket in 11 overs before Smith gave a return catch to Ferdinand Thorne.

After Place was bowled by Tyrone Smith three short of his half-century, Trott tried to lead a recovery in the tail-end but, like Smith and Place in the top order, he got little support from his partners.

Trott was eventually ninth out on 187, by which time any hopes of victory had already gone. Rohan Moore, the sixth bowler used by Police, wiped up thet tail with three for 15 from 2.4 overs while Smith finished with two for 49 and Thorne two for 35.

It was a good day with the bat for number eight batsmen as tail-ender Daniel Reece was high man for the home team with 47 from five fours and a six. He rescued the champions from 138-6 as they scored exactly 100 runs in the final 20 overs, after having maintained a scoring rate of about four an over.

Reece and number seven batsman, Peter Philpott, put on 50 for the seventh wicket, of which Philpott contributed 24. At his departure, Reece added another 38 for the eighth wicket with Kevin Bean who was not out on 10.

Earlier in the innings Andrew Rollins scored 39 and Dave Greenidge 38 as they added 69 for the third wicket in taking the score from 53 to 122, while opener Tyrone Smith stroked 29.

Anthony Edwards claimed two for 23 and Leon Place two for 40 to lead the Devonshire bowlers. Anthony Amory was the most economical, giving up 31 in 10 overs for one wicket.