Devon needed over six an over and this would need contributions all the way down. These unfortunately did not materialise and Devon ended fifty-two short only really being in the hunt on a couple of occasions. Harvey Sargent and new one day partner Charles FitzRoy added seventy-four in two minutes over the hour off one hundred and ten balls. The fifty came up in the fourteenth over and two overs later the first wicket fell when FitzRoy was bowled by Pearce. The centurion from the two day game lasted eight balls and with his demise the importance of this wicket was clearly shown as the confidence of both sides altered dramatically. The third wicket pairing of Sargent and Dan Wolf put on the partnership of the innings  of eighty-eight in only forty-seven minutes off one hundred and two balls. This was when Wales thought that it would not be necessarily be plain sailing. The hundred was reached in over twenty-four and Devon were one hundred at eight at the half way stage. Drinks were taken in the thirty-fourth over with Devon now needing nines. If this was to be achieved these two batsmen would have to score hundreds. Sadly neither did Wolf was unnecessarily run out going for a second in the thirty-seventh over and the rate was up to thirteen. Wolf had batted really sensibly but fell in his dangerous forties, his county hundreds will arrive but unfortunately not in the youth system. It was good to watch Billy Rudolph continue his return to total confidence as he and Sargent added the last meaningful partnership of the day -thirty-one. In over forty-three Sargents fine innings came to an end as Murphy bowled him six short of three figures. He faced one hundred and twenty-two in two hours twenty-one minutes hitting nine fours. Rudolph confirmed his form with a top shot for four through mid-wicket but having done so next ball he uncharacteristically gave Pearce the charge, missed the ball by the preverbal mile and was a similar measurement out of his ground. Toby Codd scored his first runs against Wales in 2015 and Maunder and Read ensured Devon at least batted their overs.

   With the game over at five thirty, Sandy and the mini-bus where on their way within the hour facing, traffic permitting, a five hour journey. Having asked to reverse the fixtures to reduce this aspect of the trip one hopes that more thought is given to the opponents when fixture planning is undertaken. The retaliatory discussion was quickly squashed but..............In reality the journey could have been worse but the timings were right as it was also the tail end of the rush hour. The side were fed at Gordano's, where we met up with former squad member Brad Causey and hopefully in bed before Friday.

Scorecard