(2) This would be a doddle but the omens were not good as is took until the twenty-first over to make the first breakthrough which by this time Berkshire had scored 71 as Yau did his first business of the day stumping Raja off Knight. At 97 and in the thirty-second over he repeated the exercise this time off Carr. Devon was obviously satisfied with their position although Howell was batting through and with composure. At the half way stage Berkshire were 81-1 apparently out of the game needing to score at 7.24 an over, with 20 overs to go they needed 169 runs, now over 8 an over, game surely over. Perhaps this was Devon’s downfall as they were complacent but the visitors had other ideas first their captain Ferrar belted a 22 ball 40 with far too much ease hitting 5 sixes, Howell increased the tempo having taken 89 balls to get to fifty he took 36 to get to hundred. The pressure was now on Devon and in the main they did not respond well. It took a brilliant pick up and magnificent throw from sweeper Jack Porter and with the assistance of Yau the captain was run out – just in time as another couple of overs……….155- 3 with 79 balls to score 108 still odds on the home side. The 39^th 40^th and 41st overs went for 25 and after fortunately 43 runs had been added for the 4^th wicket Acton caught and bowled Hudson for 17. Sixty-four now needed off 48, still 8 an over with wickets in hand and overs reducing the rate still very gettable. Carr then turned to Allin and Porter to stem the tide. First Porter and Yau completed another first rate run out which was then eclipsed by a brilliant direct hit from Acton. 218- 6 after 45.1 balls. Tom Allin then bowled Howell for a 131 ball 108 and the hearts slowed down. The final score of 252-7 was a remarkable performance by Berkshire and proved what can be achieved! The comparison of Devon in the field against Wales and then against Berkshire was so marked that it was very disconcerting and a happy medium will have to be found if the sides final goal for 2004 is to be achieved. The captain was not helped in having to ensure that some players were given an opportunity and after the final game against the Isle of Wight this practice will stop and the sides interest will be put first and the end product must be a very tight selfless side in the field which was not the case in this fixture when there was insufficient collective oomph. Exmouth is a fantastic place to play cricket we express our thanks to the club.
                                      
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