(2) Another 31 were added by the keeper Justin Yau and his school spokesman Wilkinson, who was now serene and past his 50 (133 minutes; 97 balls) and looking set for the next mile stone. Yau has regained his all-rounder role in the side after an interesting 2004 batting season. He was bowled of an outside edge of the spinner Massey and Devon were now 165-8. Two very talented batters to come and Wilkinson in total control of the situation. It did not quite work out that way as the second under 16 opener in the side lasted six balls to become the fourth batsman not to get off the mark – an unusual statistic for this side. It was this time last year in the match against Middlesex that the Annual Report read Tom Allin is not a not a number 11 and did not bat like one the Bideford top order batter then did the business again – he is invariably called to bat in a crisis and this was a big one. He was involved in the partnership that took the game away from Buckinghamshire as 42 runs were put on in 99 balls with both Wilkinson and Allin contributing 20. It would in fact have been Allin’s twenty first run that broke a partnership that Buckinghamshire were having problems separating. Allin pulled in the air to backward square leg - fielder down there - heart in mouth - no it was wide, first run completed and second undertaken however after 220 minutes at the crease facing 189 balls Wilkinson was not as quick as he had been and was surprised by a direct throw to the bowlers end that actually pitched on the full on the bails and sent him on his way, run out for a truly outstanding 95. Total disappointment, well not on the behalf of the visitors but a sad way to end one of the most important under 17 innings. His batting has grown in stature and it seems a long way off when he was a leggy who was an outstanding fielder but batted at 11. To his credit he never considered himself a number 11 nor indeed does Tom Allin. This partnership took the side to 210 and eventually enabled the side to win on first innings. The pair batted as high quality batsmen and took the game back into the control of the home side and the two short runs of the first session were forgotten. Forty three overs left in the day how would our seamers bowl?

Interesting last season the sixteen’s did not have an opening partnership below 32 with a top one of 151, this season in first innings it has been 9, 18 and 2 equally importantly the oppositions openers were separated six times under 30 whilst this season they have put on 115, 31 and now 85. It is vital for the final two games that we recover our opening partnerships and make early break throughs.

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