The coach made himself available for an early net and the batters utilised Exmouth’s new practice area. Devon was in a similar position as they had been against Somerset and it was important they showed they had learnt from the game. The two captains took Devon up to a first batting point, putting on thirty-nine, when Dan Pyle called a sharp single and was run out seeking his eighty-first run. Pyle had again demonstrated how to construct a two day innings. His dismissal was greeted with real disappointment from his side and their followers. The way he was playing with calm and serenity indicated that he would reach three figures in successive games. Only previously achieved by Tom Mitcham. Will Thompson joined Rudolph and it would be up to the Heathcoat batsman to provide the momentum to pass his opponents score. He looked in good form but had to watch his younger partner depart as Rudolph was Lakhami’s fourth leg before. They had added fourteen and the next partnership contributed a similar total when Thompson decided to take on long on and failed. In the circumstances this was not the stroke required. The batsmen first objective should have been to pass the first innings target then accelerate to obtain full bonus points. Devon was now in it up to their necks. They needed another fifty-two runs with three wickets in hand. It dropped to two wickets when Joe Hagan-Burt was Lakhami’s fifth leg before. His googly proving to be quite a weapon! Toby Codd was joined by the under fourteen wicket-keeper batsman Sam Maunder and they put on thirty-seven important runs when Codd was caught (again) for a vital twenty-three. Devon were now 219-9 with eleven needed. Goodey and Maunder batted very sensibly scoring the runs required in seven overs. Maunders maturity and shot selection – exceptional as was Goodeys. Once they had taken the lead the long handle was brought out by the Plymouth all-rounder and Devon reached 250-9 at lunch. Negotiations had already started and it was agreed that Devon would declare then bowl thirty-seven to forty overs in the afternoon session and then chase a target. Lasagne with a pasta bake option went down well

  With some creative bowling options Devon bowled out their opponents in 38.5 overs conceding one hundred and ninety-six runs. Goodey took one for thirty, Codd three for thirty-six, Petherbridge two for twenty-eight including a remarkable diving caught and bowled, Pyle one for forty-six and Wright in his first bowl for the side two for forty-two (including a caught and bowled). An exceptional direct hit from a distance by Rudolph ran out the dangerous Loud. Thompson held three catches, Maunder and Wolf one apiece. Devon needed one hundred and seventy-five in two hours. Although seventeen overs were guaranteed in the last hour our visitors would determine the number of balls Devon would face. In fact they received one hundred and ninety-two balls of which the first innings destroyer could only bowl twenty-four because of the daily bowling quota. Devon lost Lammonby early but the promoted Will Thompson and Pyle put on eighty-five off eighty-one balls to put their side in the driving seat. They batted for fifty minutes but the captain was out at a critical stage as his side were about to enter the final hour. Pyle was well caught and bowled by Lakhami to give the leg spinner his final wicket of the game. Although Thompson was striking the ball crisply often ariel it would be interesting to see how some of our younger batsman responded to a target  of ninety off one hundred and eight balls. With decent running this should have been achievable but unfortunately Devon ultimately fell three short of an outright win. Will Thompson and Dan Wolf took Devon up to three figures, The fourth wicket pair, Noah Wright who had joined Thompson put on fifty-five in thirty-four minutes off fifty-five balls. Devon then lost Thompson for eighty-nine. His strike rate had been an impressive 109.88 and he had provided the impetus needed in such a chase. He had hit twelve fours and provided the one day innings the situation had needed. The fifth wicket failed to provide the minimum ten as Wright departed and Codd was a run out victim, not getting into the frame. Dan Goodey was invited to do a Dawe, failed to provide the boundary and skied a simple catch second ball. Devon were now on 171-7 with three balls remaining. They went dot, one, one and the match was drawn with Devon taking first innings. Exmouth were splendid, the sun shone and this was two informative days cricket with some of the younger players now actually understanding the format!
Scorecard