The omens were not good – an awful journey up to Membury, a poor weather forecast for the two days and so it proved to be a very frustrating two days away. At last James Fraser won the toss and at 2.45pm play started nearly three hours late as the track used the previous day had proven to be very damp. Devon batted and got off to a flyer. Daniel Bowser forced the home side to place an early deep square leg and his Slazenger then put it well over his head into the corn field. As time was taken looking for the ball so the rain started and we first realised that we might be in big trouble as at 3.18 after 8.3 overs the day ended with Devon 38-0 and we were locked into a two day game with the rain just continuing into the next day. Discussions were held about calling it a day and taking 5 points each but as we were in need of points these did not progress – we should have talked longer! Most importantly the track was saturated as water had got in under the single cover and no longer were we batting on a road but we did have the advantage of another 52 overs to our opponents 40, unless of course we charged and declared early. We did not charge three balls after the six in the same over but some 23 hours later Bowser was back flicking a leading edge to cover. Our main man gone for 28. Bessy and Wilkinson put on 48 in 107 balls and we were progressing well until Ryan entered the attack, an unorthodox slow left armer. First Bess was yet again caught for a 78 ball 28, his next tattoo might be on his arm and to read to keep it on the ground. In strode Tim Piper unfortunately in 2003 mode as he gave extra cover catching practice first ball, we all had hoped that he had given up this version. Our main chance of acceleration was gone – are we in trouble – yes 88-3 was soon 113-6. Wilkinson did not bat on and was caught and bowled by Ryan as the track was now drying in bright sunshine and it was biting and bouncing, Chappell went hard at one to be caught in the leg trap and then the skipper was again caught. As a side we seem to be providing our opponents with an above average number of catches or are we a side that hold nothing? Ryan’s figures were now 5-22 off nine. We needed a partnership and the odd couple from Torquay again provided it as Porter and Yau put on 68 in 15 overs. Once again they batted as a partnership something Bess/Bowser, Piper/Cooke have also provided this year. They complement each other right/left hander, orthodox/unorthodox, good runners and surely below all the banter good friends. They got us out of another hole when Yau was caught behind by the stand in keeper Garry Phillips. Tea was taken at 193-7 and we could bat for another four overs. Damien Price showed our intent as he too found the cornfield – the previous day’s six seemed weeks ago – and the pair put on 48 in nine overs. Price was undefeated on 15 and Porter completed his third county fifty of the season not out on 68 batting for 93 balls and minutes. He is proving to be a key all rounder. We had only picked up one bonus point to Oxfordshire’s 3 so now we needed wickets as they would have to chase at 5.73..

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