So – was 206-4 going to be enough? Would the wicket deteriorate? What effect would the slow outfield continue to have? Matt Hickey and Alex Carr opened up for Devon but the Hampshire opening pair were both left handers which posed more of a challenge than they’d had of late. Hickey in particular was getting prodigious swing in the heavy atmosphere – and it proved awkward for his consistency of line. Carr soon settled into a good rhythm and was able to tie up one end. Hugh McDowell replaced the struggling Hickey and proved a perfect foil to Carr in terms of control. When Carr’s spell ended at 10 overs Hampshire were on 27 with only 10 runs off the bat! Toby Ingham replaced Carr and he, too, struggled to come to terms with the conditions – so at first drinks Hampshire were 41-0 and up with the clock. After one more maiden from McDowell it was all set for the variations of spin from Miles Lenygon and JJ Debenham. They soon settled into their rhythm and although the Hampshire openers were picking up runs there was always that feeling that a breakthrough was just round the corner. In over 23, with the score on 78 (still on target) Debenham tempted Lavous into an airborne drive to mid-off. Michael Collinge took the catch and that corner had been turned. Rhys, the other opener, fell in the next over to Lenygon as he walked out of his crease. Matt Thompson had the bails off and they were 80-2. As Debenham was racking up the maidens, Lenygon had Knott sharply stumped in his next over (81-3). Belcher joined Cooke and there was a rebuild required if the home side were to remain in contention. They did a pretty good job, with Belcher in particular making Debenham’s figures look slightly less impressive. So 118 for 3 – ten overs to go, 2 batters well established and only 10 behind the clock……who would take the initiative? Up stepped leg spinner Michael Collinge with Alex Carr at the other end. In a disastrous period of 17 balls for Hampshire the whole face of the game changed. Belcher went first – hitting Collinge out to deep square leg into the grateful hands of Toland. Next over Waldron skied Carr for Lenygon to make a tough chance look straightforward (123-5). In Collinge’s next over Thompson gleefully took his hat-trick of stumpings to send back Wright and then Gregory caught Foyle for a golden duck. At 125-7 with 7 overs to go the Hampshire challenge had dissolved. Cooke continued manfully playing shots to restore some credibility to his side’s score but when he was caught by McDowell off Collinge in the 42nd over with the score on 150 it was really a matter of whether the Devon lads could now finish off the innings in style. Style it was too – another stumping for Thompson – a five wicket haul for Collinge – and a fine run out to complete the proceedings. 

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