Sunday, April 19
DEVON got some batting practice in before rain ruined their one-day friendly with Cardiff UCCE at Exmouth.
Mopping up the overnight rain delayed the start by half an hour, but the pitch posed few problems as Devon reached 203 for seven in their 50 overs.
Midway through lunch the heavens didn't just open over the Maer Ground – they emptied.
By the time the covers were rolled on to the pitch it was too late to save the strip from a dousing and the only option left was call the game off.
Cardiff, one of the MCC-supported universities feeding into the First Class game, asked Devon to bat first then found it hard to get them out.
Openers James Beeny and Rob Holman hoisted 58 for the first wicket. Holman was on 17 when he swished a catch to mid-wicket.
Devon captain Bob Dawson came and went for seven – he was caught behind trying to make room for a shot behind point - but Beeny carried on to reach 50.
Beeny lasted two more balls after reaching his half-century then got out stumped in an ungainly fashion to spinner Kevin Tudge.
Having been 97 for two and 128 for three following some quick cricket by Neil Hancock and David Court, Devon got in a tizzy against the spin bowlers.
Hancock was caught swinging for 17, Court was bowled slogging for 21 and SandyAllen missed a ball on the stumps.
When James Hudson came in to join David Lye, Devon had lost three wickets for 15 runs and were 143 for six. A 49-run stand between the two took Devon within sight of 200 and a defendable total.
Hudson, happy to be pulled along behind Lye, contributed 13 then got out to the one bad shot he played: a half-hit lob in the general direction of mid-wicket.
Lye finished unbeaten on 43 having survived being dropped on 35.
Devon now have two weeks off prior to their Minor Counties KO Cup opener against Wiltshire at Exmouth on May 4.
Devon 203-7 (J W K Beeny 51, D F Lye 43no, D G Court 21; M J Fisher 2-37) v Cardiff UCCE. Rain stopped play.
Devon: R I Dawson, A P W Allen, J W K Beeny (all Budleigh Salterton), R J Holman (Exeter), N D Hancock (Sidmouth), D F Lye (Sandford), D G Court (Exmouth), J M Hudson (Paignton), T S Anning (Sandford), I E Bishop, A J Procter (both Budleigh Salterton).
Cardiff UCCE: S D Outerbridge, S F Flower, S M Butler, C J Salmons, R J Foster, M J Fisher, P Fallis, S Moore, R Bishop, K D Tudge, W T Owen, A J Jones.