Devon Cricket Board - Thompson defies Oxon for unbeaten 59

Thompson defies Oxon for unbeaten 59

MATT Thompson held it together between lunch and tea for Devon after a rain-delayed start to the game against Oxfordshire at Sidmouth today.

Exactly 90 minutes was lost to rain, although it is hoped to claw that back by playing on for 30 minutes tonight and starting half an hour early tomorrow.

Devon moved Thompson up the order midway through the season to counter an alarming habit of early order collapses.

Thompson showed why by getting his head down to reach 59 not out at tea in a Devon total of 158 for six.

Although Thompson played his part well, the rest of the batters only contributed bits and pieces.

Opener Rob Woodman, back in the side to replace the unavailable James Burke, was in and out for four on his return.

Woodman fell to a diving catch out on the boundary by Karl Penhale to give Chad Keegan his first wicket.

Thompson and Rob Holman saw Devon through to lunch at 37 for one off 11 overs without further mishap.

Two overs after the resumption Holman (21) went caught behind to left-arm seamer Mike Beard.

Conditions suited the seamers so Oxfordshire skipper Luke Ryan stuck with them for most of the session.

David Lye (15) played some nice drives before departing caught behind to Keegan.

When skipper Josh Bess was caught behind for 11 off Penhale, Devon were 118 for four in the 32nd over.

Rhys Davies came and went for nine – the combination of keeper Jonny Cater and Penhale doing for him as well –then Sandy Allen (17) was dismissed lbw by the same bowler.

Left-armer Ryan bowled the final over before tea, which Thompson blocked out.

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