So – facing 266 to win at tea how would Devon approach the task of such a stiff challenge? This was uncharted territory for them – having batted first in every previous game this season.

Lewis Gregory and Luke Tuckett opened up with their usual blend of positive caution and without any alarms got the run rate ticking along nicely with 45 off the first 10 overs. Then the day’s bizarre dismissal – Tuckett given out caught behind was bemused. We all heard something…but the Cornish keeper and slips said that they thought the ball had hit the off stump without the bail being dislodged. The decision stood and Tuckett departed for 10 to be replaced by Henry Parkin. He looked in fluent form until he stood back on one and was caught at extra cover for 7. Will Gater joined Lewis Gregory and played a sensible minor role as the stylish opener advanced into the forties. At first drinks Devon were 18 ahead of Cornwall at the same stage, but the hosts had only got going in the final third of their innings. The fascination of the challenge was beginning to develop. Ten more overs, 42 more runs and when was the Devon innings going to spring into life? By now Gater was beginning to accelerate, which was promising – but then inexplicably Gregory hoisted a long hop into the hands of the only infielder in front on the legside, and was out for 47. Now 106-3, James Toland joined Gater and played himself in through the next few overs. At second drinks Devon were 116-3, nine ahead of the Cornish rate…and there was an air of anticipation. As Gater had to Gregory, Toland now played a lesser role to Gater, and it was this precise playing of the role that was the spark that set the show alight. There were runs almost every ball – not quite the boundary hitting of the Cornish pair, but almost more impressively, controlled hitting and precise and measured running. Cornwall cannot at first have been aware of the increasing run rate…they weren’t being blitzed by boundaries after all. But with 10 overs to go Devon needed 96. For Will Gater the milestones came and went…..50…highest score for Devon….and then he was into the 90s. But these weren’t nervous – in true fashion he reached his century in singles at a run a ball. It had taken 76 balls but there was never the impression that he had been scoring so fast. With 40 overs gone it was 213, still 53 to win. James Toland’s 50 was now approaching, but he too didn’t resort to boundaries. More singles and twos until the Cornish bowlers must have wondered if they would ever bowl another dot ball. The next 4 overs were a whirlwind, however and Devon secured their amazing win with an over and one ball to spare.

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