Buckrep3

(3) At 27 minutes to six after 191 deliveries with 85 on the board even Plan G was being reconsidered. Both batsmen had set out their stalls they would bat out the day and Devon were not making any great impression. Devon’s bowlers were bowling economically but there did not seem any spite in the track which now appeared flat. Out of the blue, Cooke in his eleventh over and the thirty first of the innings bowled Stevens, one run later Webster was run out after a total disagreement as Carr's throw was taken by Yau, 86-2 became 86-3 as Chappell had Hudson caught on the drive by Bess. Even better was to come as Bowser juggled at slip to give Chappell his second victim, another six runs were added without mishap as close of play left Buckinghamshire 94-4 with 109 overs being bowled in the day and Devon setting very attacking fields. Were the day’s honours now even? The opposition’s game plan appeared to be to score the 117 needed with six wickets left in the day to leave for Cornwall as first innings winner. They had in their century maker from the Gloucester match, Bowles and other capable batting from that victory still to come. No overnight rain, conditions back in favour of the batsman and Devon open with their spinners Cooke and Chappell with even more attacking fields than the previous night. Devon drop Massey at cover, which brought several comments of ridicule of the home side’s hour long warm up and the fifth wicket pairing put on 23 but on the 111th ball of the partnership and the score on 111 Massey was bowled by Chappell.He was in his eighth over of the morning of which six had been maidens and there had been only two scoring strokes. It was a similar story at the other end and the visitor’s game plan was becoming increasingly obvious as their shouts of encouragement from the pavilion of you have all day confirmed. Ten more runs for the sixth wicket when the vital wicket was taken, Bowles was trapped on the back foot by the Cooke tracer bullet and the confidence of the management rose. The tall Bowles has the ability to bat a long time and it was encouraging to see him return to the pavilion. It became 140-7 as the captain Norwood was caught behind off Cooke and for the first time the scorer discretely commented on the similarity of scores – Devon had been 135-7 did Bucks bat as deep? Devon were now ahead as they had been 165-8 and Bucks lost their eighth wicket at 155 as their keeper Cater became Scott Barlow’s first county scalp. Barlow has been economy personified but after 31 county overs took his first wicket as Chappell was rested after bowling 27 overs (18 in the day) for 26 runs taking 3 wickets and nine scoring shots. Wilkinson filled in for an over went for 8 and on came Barlow. His second ball of the morning trapped the keeper in front. Barlow’s figures are equally revealing in all he bowled 12 overs with 7 maidens and nine runs off seven balls. Next