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Despite the drizzle that intensified Devon under 16s actually got a game in. Because of county second team commitments for the rest of the week the game was played on Taunton Vale's picturesque and superbly maintained second ground. As always the Taunton club were outstanding hosts.
Devon lost the toss and Somerset batted – this most certainly was Headingley revisited as the coach was keen that Devon should bat. At 23-8 it was a good toss to loose! The captain Zak Bess bowled one of those exceptional spells, well supported by Ryan Skinner at the other end. Somerset with five players in the West of England squad to Devon’s single Cameron Grainger had three of them playing and they were all quickly back in the pavilion. It was five for three Lock bowled Bess’s first ball of his third over, Mount caught behind by the diving Grainger in front of first slip last ball. The much admired Jacob Lintott was bowled first ball by Ryan Skinner – his first ever first baller. Next to fall was Kitch bowled Bess again uprooting stumps – a really impressive performance. He took his fourth and fifth wickets in his final over both bowled. His final victim was Freddie Gabbitass who had been a team mate for a number of years. This is where the fast bowling regulations are annoying for Bess in this form would have broken all records. This was as inspirational spell, as good as they get. His replacement Matt Plowman had a possible gloved caught behind on the hook but made it 21-7 when he bowled Barrett. Under 15 captain Craig Eaves made it 23-8 with another catch for Grainger. The screw should have been applied now but for a period of stiff resistance provided by Devon produced Will Steward. His application was outstanding playing well of his legs and hopefully giving as much as he got in the complements. He was well supported by Musgrave as the pair put on 64 vital runs. A miss at slip off Bryan, who proved the most expensive of the Devon bowlers at four an over. Matt Golding replaced Bryan and bowled well with the damp ball. Bess returned and it looked as if he would take another wicket as he varied his length with a well directed short ball that was spooned up to mid off but fell short. Barney Huxtable giving an impression of his team mate Mark Lathwell off only four paces took the prized wicket of Steward. He had batted for seven minutes short of two hours in falling three short of a half century. He was caught off a long hop by Golding. The fielder took the final wicket as Brown judged his catch well. 95 all out was a disappointment but was in turn a satisfactory result. There had been earlier a delightful conversation with some Somerset players who felt that twenty might be an achievement! Bess’s blast against a class top order will be long remembered.
Devon needed application and they got it in spades from Tom Mitcham whose recent run feast has earnt him a batting place in Braunton’s first team and an invitation to play for the MCC against ESCA at Lords in September. The captain’s batting was not up to his bowling as he was bowled for an eight ball duck. Mitcham and Brown put on 31 before Brown was caught behind. He had ensured that Devon did not fall into the trap of stagnating hitting three fours in his twenty-nine ball 19. Huxtable ensured that Devon maintained the initiative hitting Lintott over the top with confidence. He did give his wicket away when he was caught off Lintott. Stephenson played his shots but not for long enough as he was bowled behind his legs to give Gabbitass some pleasure. Mitcham was now playing the key role and with Grainger put on the twenty runs needed to clinch a satisfying victory. There was a huge improvement on the performance against Cornwall. It was reassuring that a player’s voice indicated that too many gift wickets had been given away. The fielding, in the main, was up by 50% but the over rate still not up to the required standard. However Devon had played a full game at last!!!! | 
