Joel then reminded every one what an asset he is as a batter as the pair put on 44 in ten overs. In the sixty-eighth over and Roberts second Seward was caught behind for a typical 33 (4 fours and 2 sixes) having helped secured the third batting point. His return to his true batting form was a great relieve to the entire squad. With Buzza unlikely to bat the ECB were phoned to clarify if Joe Hyde could bat – he could by default, they had not been asked this question in the past but would look at it for next year to determine whether the eleven batters in the first innings have to bat in the second. Two more of the sixteen’s now stuck in as Whittle was joined by his under 16 captain Eliot Acton who was in a very responsible mode. They took the score up to 225 after 75 overs when Acton became the Irishman’s first victim bowled. Two runs later Whittle vigil came to an end. He had batted 101 minutes for his 25. It was now up to Craig Donohue and the nervous Joe Hyde to score the 23 runs in eleven overs – of course they stood no chance- did they? They did it with guts and fortitude, their resolve was truly outstanding and epitomised the spirit of this group. The only blip was a claim for a catch at slip dead in line with the Devon contingent and rightly it was turned down, this might have sparked the later behaviour. The pair secured the eighth point off the fifth ball of the eighty-fifth over a wonderful achievement from everyone and Hardy called them in. The visitors were oblivious to their manager’s statement that the game was dead as they charged off requesting the home side to get their whites on!! We were 45 ahead with one over left! Fortunately sanity prevailed although an opinion was expressed that our bowlers were so poor they would bowl sufficient no balls and wides in the over. Perhaps an over of underarm with the field set back would have appeased. This and the ignoring of the match officials by the opposition players soured the whole proceedings and what Devon had achieved against what is a very talented bunch of players who are likely to walk the division and gain promotion.

The squad were again congratulated for all they had achieved to date, the eighteen points from the week were way above those anticipated in April and we said a sad goodbye to Craig. Porter won the 70 yard sprint by a short head and at last the players now had a few days rest although the 16s were playing the cidermen again the next week.

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