Devon v Oxfordshire Sandford C.C. 24th/25th July

Scorecard

This fact that this game entered its second day is entirely due to the sterling work of Sandford Cricket Club. The predicted rain had shed its load over night and when arriving at the ground it looked that the prospect of play would be extremely remote. However this is a club that wants you to play and despite an important league match the next day pulled out all the stops so play could commence at 2.45pm . We have jumped the gun a little so in the tradition of the Sound of Music let us start at the very beginning. Rain was going to be a problem in a very unsettled week and it was typical that the hosts had the square well protected against the rain on Wednesday. On Thursday the ground was still damp and on winning the toss Oxfordshire took their time in making a decision. They elected to field which fell in line with the home side’s game plan. However second ball the plan looked to be in need of modification as Wigley lost his off stump to Skelton. Tom Bowring, in what could be his last county game for Devon, and Nick Watkin then took the score to 51 with little discomfort when Watkin tried for the second time in the over to clear mid off and failed, which was most unfortunate as he is in very good form at present. So is Marc Bettiss but he only lasted eight balls when he was caught behind. Ten runs later Bowring left the crease for the last time for ten. Jack Horton was now joined by Adam Parker two other young batsmen in good knick, they put on 79 in 113 balls with Parker the dominant partner scoring a fine fifty-six ball 54. In the fourth over after lunch Parker hit two superb fours through the covers off Khalid and then perhaps got greedy and tried to pull a third and was caught at square leg. Adam is not far off a big score but his great virtue to his team is the rate he scores his runs, 48 of which were in boundaries. It was now time for a key under 16 partnership with initially Jack Horton taking control but once his overnight host Tim Piper got settled it was very much a joint effort. At this level there is only one century partnership for the sixth wicket and it appeared they would soon make it two with the record 124 well in their sights. Sadly rain interfered at 3.24 and 14 minutes after the restart Horton was caught behind for a magnificent 85 (12 fours; 144 mins; 147 balls) the pair had put on 98 in 129 balls. Piper could not cope without his mate and went in the same manner seven runs later. This became 253 as Jenn went for a duck. The teams fourth under 16 player Damian Price then joined Craig Miles and showed he can not only hold a bat but can use it as they put on 40 for the ninth wicket, just 16 short of the current record that Price’s brother Nat holds with David Field. The side were now back on target for the final batting point but lost out by two runs as Miles was trapped leg before – poetic justice – read on.       Next