SUFFOLK are just two more wins away from Lord's after winning a rain-ruined game against Devon at Torquay on a bowl-out.Opener Andy Mawson, Tim Catley and Tobias Hembrey all scored half centuries as Suffolk reached 288 all out in yesterday's 50-over game – and none of them actually counted!But Ben France and Hembrey did hit the stumps in the bowl-out – ordered by umpires Steve Bishopp and Peter Kingston-Davey after Devon's innings was washed out – and that was all that mattered.

SUFFOLK are just two more wins away from Lord's after winning a rain-ruined game against Devon at Torquay on a bowl-out.

Opener Andy Mawson, Tim Catley and Tobias Hembrey all scored half centuries as Suffolk reached 288 all out in yesterday's 50-over game – and none of them actually counted!

But Ben France and Hembrey did hit the stumps in the bowl-out – ordered by umpires Steve Bishopp and Peter Kingston-Davey after Devon's innings was washed out – and that was all that mattered.

Suffolk captain Phil Caley had some sympathy for Devon, who didn't hit the stumps at all in the bowl-out, having been in a similar situation and lost some years ago.

But he was just glad to get through to a date with Bedfordshire in the last eight – and one step closer to a Lord's final.

"It's a terrible way to end a game of cricket, but I suppose it is better than tossing a coin," said Caley.

"The same thing happened to us years ago when we went out to Lincolnshire in a bowl-out at Framlingham College, so I know how they feel.

"But we've had a long trip down here – and a longer trip back – and I am glad we are going home with something."

Torquay has been sweltering in a heatwave for more than a month, as the parched outfield at the Recreation Ground on the sea front proved.

But the weather had to break sometime and the heavens finally opened three overs before the end of Suffolk's innings.

After a 90-minute delay the teams were able to get back out there again and finish the innings, but more rain during the ten-minute interval put paid to Devon's chances of batting.

Caley said: "I was looking for 300 so I was happy to set them 289. It certainly would have been a test for them.

"Andy Mawson and Ben France gave us a great start, we fell away in the middle for a while, then Tobias Hembrey got it going again towards the end."

Dreams of Lord's have to go on the back burner for now as Suffolk's next engagement is a three-day Minor Counties Championship game against Staffordshire at Ransomes which starts on Sunday.

Suffolk's only injury worry for that game is former England

paceman Devon Malcolm, who dropped out of the trip to Torquay with a groin strain.

"He decided to rest it up instead of coming down here with us, but I'm hoping he will be fit for the Staffordshire game," said Caley.