| The day before we played Cornwall the under seventeens’ one day game with Worcestershire at Budleigh had been cancelled with the ground flooded so Devon was left with real doubts as to whether their third game of the summer would go ahead. The St Minver ground was visited the night before and it was really heartening to see work being undertaken and the signs were most encouraging. Next morning the B & B’s lawn was playable so Devon made their way down to play at another new ground in Cornwall and St Minver was most welcoming and hospitable. Conway and Loud were fit to play but Cload had departed for his cruise. However, critically for the rest of the summer, the Cherringtons shortened their family’s holiday for Jack to join the side. This commitment and Jack’s significant contribution cemented his place in the side and he became a vital cog. After his day off Hallam Kerton was available again but Dart and Mailling were rested, having had two outstanding days at Exmouth with the seventeens earlier in the week. Tom Dyer won the toss and batted but unfortunately Rickard’s season did not turn the corner and he was caught for 6. The opening partnership with Mawgan Penrice had yielded thirty-three runs in eleven overs. Elliott Rice joined Penrice and they forged a partnership that also developed well off the field. They had put on fifty-seven taking Devon up to ninety, two balls short of the half way point, before Futcher took his one wicket of the innings when he bowled Rice. Cherrington joined Penrice and eighty-seven were added off sixty balls, with Penrice reaching his maiden county fifty off one hundred and eight balls before he was third out in the forty-fourth over for an outstanding 69 (7 fours, 126 balls). Hallam Kerton was promoted to do what he does best and he had smacked three fours and a six in his nineteen ball 28 before he was out on 218 having helped put on forty-one off just thirty-three balls. Cherrington had demonstrated an adaptability that is vital to a batsman who bats in this important position. He was next out on the same score for forty-two (4 fours and a six), his illusive maiden county fifty still not achieved. Next ball captain Dyer was leg before. An application for the Primary Club was in the post. Gareth Penrice won the predicted score as Conway and Hunt took Devon up to double Nelson - 222 - which included five penalty runs. After the batting performance against Somerset this was a real morale booster. Our hosts provided an excellent tea and the conditions were now set fair. Devon hit the ground running, taking nine wickets for eighty-two in twenty-four overs, exciting stuff. Hallam Kerton continued where he left off the previous season, taking out both openers, leg before and bowled, Alex Hunt bowled Shrewsbury to reduce Cornwall to 13-3 and Gary Abdul caught May off Kerton – 31-4 off nine. Hunt took his second wicket in the final over of his spell caught behind by Gareth Penrice – 47-4. The keeper did not put a foot wrong all afternoon. Tom Dyer took the next three wickets, Brownfield caught Kerton, Ridd caught and bowled, Rodda leg before – 82-8. On the same score Aaron Conway had Rowe well stumped by Penrice junior for a top score of 24. There was an annoying last wicket partnership of 30 before Kerton was brought back to take his fourth wicket with the last ball of his first over when he had Jasper caught by Loud. The atmosphere after Seaton had been depressing but now four days later it had changed totally, a tremendous all-round performance. |
