The games against Hampshire and Somerset in the same week had long been thought to be the vital week in the 2006 under 17 campaign but the side approached the second game against our neighbours full of confidence after the convincing draw at Basingstoke where Devon were very well placed at close of play. The target for the week had been maximum bonus points and any additional points would be gratefully accepted. It transpired that the two days with the overtly confident and verbose Somerset under 17s would be almost the complete opposite to the first two days of the week as it was a backs to the wall job virtually from ball one. Daniel Hardy continued his record breaking season at the toss and Devon batted but their opponents were at the crease 43 overs later as they were bowled out for 81. Top scorers were the under 16s Gareth Tidball and Andrew Buzza with 14. Seb Benton, David Wrench and Tom Whittle were apart from extras the only others to get into double figures in a very sorry batting progression. The impressive Ben Rudge bowled both openers and Ed Lye took 4-20 off nine overs. Perhaps there had been too much talk about Axminster prior to the game. These are certainly not the opposition to put on a below par performance as they are at you from the moment you arrive at the crease and the message, amongst the giggles and comments, did get through that they felt the home captain should have fielded. At twelve minutes past two Somerset batted and their openers, former Dorset player, Esson, and Fear put on an ominous 80 in 57 minutes. Andrew Buzza then forced Fear into a false shot and was held by Benton. Nine runs later and having achieved first innings points the captain/vice captain combination again worked when Esson was stumped. For the second time in three years a young Irish cricketer was proving a thorn as Ackland passed his fifty and in the company of the visitors vociferous keeper Todd took the score up to 166 when Benton trapped Todd in front. A run later Perry became Benton’s second victim held by Tidball and then at 179 the visitor’s captain placed the ball down Buzza’s throat off Craig Donohue. The two hundred was passed when Ackland became yet another short leg catch for Tidball who with one more catch will equal a season’s best performance by a fielder. This was Buzza’s second key wicket and close play came at 213-6 with some pride restored.

The disappointing first day and the hectic schedule of the last twelve days resulted in a less dynamic warm up but the message of the importance of getting 8 points from the game was fully understood as the side set about picking up the additional 6 points.

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