(Gwent2)

Spells of seam from Toby Ingham and Paris Pinney continued the Gwent woes with Ingham picking up one wicket and Pinney two. At 34-5 after 17 overs the Devon bowlers and fielders had achieved a really good level of dominance for the first time this season – and at this stage it was “fight or flight” for Gwent. To their credit they stood firm, at least until the introduction of leg spin from Michael Collinge. Collinge came on after injury had forced JJ Debenham out of the attack after one over and he then operated in spin tandem with Miles Lenygon. His success was immediate , Debenham snapping up a close catch. Watkins, who had led the Gwent revival was next to fall – runout to a fine bit of fielding from Alex Carr. Next over, Collinge trapped Parfitt lbw and Gwent were back on the slide at 68-8. More rearguard action interspersed with occasional shots until Collinge got his 3rd victim – Wallace who faced 29 balls without scoring until he gave a catch to Carr. Meanwhile, although wicketless, Miles Lenygon bowled an excellent spell up the hill getting more fluent through his action as time went on. His last 6 overs went for 1 run. The Gwent last wicket pair played shots to good effect to restore their side’s credibility and for the Devon lads it was about bowling the right ball.....they eventually succumbed to give Hickey his third victim.

Again Devon should have got more runs and crucial errors in shot selection cost at least 3 batters likely half centuries and maybe more. Running the first run hard instead of relying on the big hit should be the priority for the next match v Dorset. The bowling and fielding were much more controlled and positive – and although the last two wickets proved somewhat elusive, resisting as they did for 15 overs, the only real downside was the injury to JJ Debenham that kept him out of the attack.

Good luck to Gwent for the rest of the season and very many thanks to our hosts, Bradninch C.C, for their excellent hospitality.

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