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North v East at Braunton Sunday May 8th

A truly remarkable game which had everything. East were cruising at 28 without loss after winning the toss and batting. Their opener Alex Millington was run out for 4 in a quite comical fashion after some less than convincing calling. Alex Brown was next in and he looked confident and solid in defence; a partnership looked on the cards. Ray Clarke had other ideas. The North's undoubted MoM began an incredible spell of bowling with the caught and bowled effort to dismiss Brown, a catch low down to his right in the follow through. Glass was next to go bowled by Clarke for 0. A double wicket maiden. Tommy Cole at the other end still looked confident though and continued to take on the bowling of Barny Huxtable. Clarke's next over was another dream for the North. Crouch and Pritchard both bowled in consecutive balls. Cole appeared to be shaken by the loss of his middle order and decided that the strike needed rotating. He didn't bet on Ray Clarke's brother Richard running him out with a direct hit 2 balls later. 33-6 and the East were reeling. Clarke's figures after the first spell read 4-3-1-4. He had bowled quite exceptionally with accuracy, no great pace but both swing and seam movement. 

Gabitass and Grainger were looking like putting together a good partnership when the Devon wicketkeeper skyed one and Davies was underneath it confidently to cap a wonderful first half for the North, the East in dire need of inspiration at 55-7. Menhenneott then came to join Gabbitass. The two played with watertight defence, taking the sting out of the North attack and waiting for the bad ball which they put away with power and accuracy. A fine partnership of 40 came to an end when Gabbitass was bowled by the ever impressive Huxtable whose captaincy was proving to be inspired. 95-8. The North then had a spell where they assumed the game was won. A number of wides and '4 balls' followed and aided by some fine batting for Menheneott and Goss they reached 155 all out after 39.5. Extras were top score on 63, a stat which didn't please the North manager but they looked in good shape for a most unlikely win. 

North made a great start to the chase. Davies and Mitcham looked very impressive with good calling and running between the wickets. Mitcham has looked the most impressive batsman I have seen in some years. His touch and shot selection on this day was exceptional and he was unlucky to be dismissed for a very well composed 32 by Menheneott, proving to be a thorn in North Devon's side. Davies followed in the very next over, victim of one that kept a bit low and was LBW for 11 at 59 for 2.

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