It rains overnight but the sun is shining and we leave for Ryde. You get an early impression that they are keen for you to play and Buckinghamshire, who had played and won the previous day are very keen. A strip is cut and we start a 50 over game at noon, the only full game to be played on the Island that day. Bucks win the toss and field, no surprise there as it has rained for two weeks and covers are not a standard form of equipment on this sun filled island. Devon will have to graft and our openers Josh Bess and Daniel Bowser, now fortunately over his back problem, put on 32 at three an over and then Bess is out caught, another moan to the opener about his careless shot selection from the manager. Chappell and Bowser add 18 as the Bradninch player also gets caught. Fraser decides to hit his way into form adds 4 and is stumped. The score becomes 55-4 as Wrench lasts two balls, playing tentatively when in normal circumstances he would have whacked it. Bowser was demonstrating why he is the 2004 leading batsmen just patiently batting on against the spinners. Jack Porter was next to fall, a similar dismissal to Wrench – 57-5. James Carr brings an exciting attacking flair to the proceedings and adds 37 before he is caught. The final pairing of Steve Knight and Bowser then advance the score to 153-6 putting on 59 invaluable runs in 11 overs. Knight proving again that he is able to make valuable contributions when given the chance ended on a 36 ball 34. Bowser was supreme holding everything together with consummate skill batting through the innings for a 128 ball 55. The scorer advises that we must bowl our opponents out by 114 to gain a bonus point.

Stiff breeze results in Russell Discombe opening and bowling into it and he promptly dismisses both openers having Hales caught behind off his second ball and bowls Webster with his 27th . Fraser bowls two maidens out of his three and 17-2 becomes 18-3 as Allin enters the attack and Bess catches Mould. Bucks then slump to 32-6 as Wrench holds a chance off Allin, Carr bowls Stevens with a big turner, Bowser snaps up Thompson off Porter. Forty-two are added for the seventh when Carr holds Massey off Chappell. Bonus point looks possible. Allin takes his third and fourth wickets with catches by Yau and Porter 94- 9, twenty runs to get the vital wicket. Buckinghamshire's Australian Andrews is still at the crease and so confident of gaining his side the bonus point decides to score only in fours and sixes. He ignores the singles, but his partner does not seem a complete rabbit. Andrews is missed on the long on boundary and these four runs take his side to 113. The captain then brings up all the fielders who are now patrolling the boundary ropes and hey presto Porter catches him off his own bowling – poetic justice and a vital bonus point. We are back on track for four out of four.
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