The side caught up with the early edition to learn of the nominations and James Gibson, fresh from his graduation ceremony in Bath, joined Nick Watkin without cap and green and gold hood for the warm up. The new BA thought the side looked tired and it was hoped that he was imagining it. The performance in the first session justified his diagnosis as Devon allowed their hosts to advance to 114-1 after 47 overs. The solitary wicket was the night watchman Myers who Chappell bowled for a 76 ball 14. Berkshire’s number 3 was the former England opener (Devon disagree with the ICC and feel his caps should count) Alan Jones grandson and he looked to have the genes. With Roberts anchoring Berkshire had put themselves in a position where they could win. When you overhear that a missed chance could prove to be very costly four times within a minute you start to fear the worse as left hander Jones was missed by our mid off with Cooke the unlucky bowler- a regulation chance with Jones on 42. Untidy fielding throughout this session also cost the side two basic run out chances and Watkin and Gibson indicated disappointment over the baked potatoes. Cook however ended the 111 partnership with Yau’s first audition for a juggler’s role in Billy Smarts when he removed Roberts who had batted nineteen minutes short of three hours for his 45. Berkshires key batters were now together as Howell entered the affray to add another 50 runs. Howell scored off 4 off his first 30 balls giving Jones his head who passed his hundred and proved the Berkshire contingent right. However the thought that he might not bat on proved right as Bowser held on with great aplomb on the mid wicket boundary rope giving Porter his only wicket. This was a critical wicket and the game now swung back to Devon. Enter Matt Cooke as in the seventy-seventh over and his first of his third spell he took two in three. Yau caught the home side’s captain Ferrar, who fortunately did not repeat the fireworks of last year when he struck a 22 ball 40 which included 5 sixes. Two balls later Raja was trapped in front and Berkshire were now 215 -5. Tea was taken without the disappointment of the luncheon adjournment and Devon had made up the lost ground. It got better as still in the fifth hour of the Berkshire innings the carnage continued as Devon took 6 wickets for 46 runs.

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