Quality, excitement, heroics and relief!

v Somerset at West Buckland School on Sunday 22nd June, 2008

With another late reprieve from the weather gods, Devon were happy to arrive at West Buckland School with no problems in the rain department. However, with strong and blustery winds 600ft up on the edge of Exmoor, the wind chill factor played an unnoticeable yet important part on the players - and even more on the fleece-clad spectators!

Devon won the toss and chose to field. Left armer Craig Eaves secured yet another first over breakthrough as Hayes was caught by 'keeper Jamie Overton. Eaves, and fellow quickie Toby Lochead then put a strangle on Somerset as they only scored 9 off the first 8 overs. In the 9th Eaves struck again when Tom Cummins caught Jenkins at mid on. (11-2). Somerset then rebuilt their innings somewhat but it was still slow progress as Craig Overton and George Yates kept up Devon's tight grip. In the 18th over Yates bowled Rouse with a beauty and then had newcomer Barrett lbw 2 balls later. (38-4). 3 overs later Max Curtis had the established Abell lbw (49-5) and at drinks Devon were in a very strong position. The pitch offered plenty for the bowlers and with Devon's fielding on top form it was no surprise how difficult Somerset were finding it to score.

After the break Devon's intensity waned slightly and although wickets continued to fall regularly to both the off spin of Curtis and left arm seam of Merrick Steward, Somerset managed to advance their score to 73-8 in the 28th over. Studious and patient batting up until now had brought little reward, and Somerset's No.9, Cook, seized the initiative with some positive and powerful hitting and daring running. He coaxed his fellow tail enders up to 94-9 and then to 130 all out - assisted by a couple of spills by the previously exemplary Devon fielders. Max Curtis finished with 4-15, George Yates 2-28, and Craig Eaves probably the pick of the bowlers with 3-18 off his 9 overs.

Mirror images

Tom Cummins and Harrison Folland opened up Devon's reply and Cummins looked in fine form once more as he hit 4 glorious boundaries in an untroubled time at the crease. Folland was the first new ball victim falling to a catch in the 8th over (24-1). In the 12th Cummins was bowled by change bowler Cook's first ball (27-2) and then Craig Overton and Alec Bosomworth rebuilt the innings through the next 11 overs. Enter Somerset's slow left armer, Wills and after 2 maidens he captured 2 wickets in the 25th over. Craig Overton was caught and Max Curtis was bowled 4 balls later as mirror images of the Somerset innings' progress began to emerge. When Alec Bosomworth was needlessly runout and then Craig Eaves gently drove a catch to mid on, Devon were now 65-6 and getting quite a way behind the clock. Matt Golding was lbw next over (66-7) but in the 35th over there was a distant glimmer of what was to come as Jamie Overton launched Wills over long on for 6. It was the first dominant shot Devon had played for 15 overs - but it still seemed a dying glimmer as Rory Coltham was stumped in Wills' last over and then George Yates was bowled in Cook's last over. At 79-9 with 7 overs to go, all the money was on Somerset.

It aint over till its over!

Many a portly lady would have declined to sing for Devon on this one - but Merrick Steward and Jamie Overton clearly had other ideas. 15 came off the 39th over, 7 off the 40th and now Devon needed 30 off the last 5! At some point in this drama (can't remember exactly!) Steward was dropped off a caught behind - and finally scoreboard pressure began to get at the Somerset bowlers. 22 needed off 3 overs - but by now it was no matter who was facing as both batters were in full swing. Needing 5 off the last over, the first ball went for a single .... then Steward hit the 3rd ball back over the long off boundary and it was all over. In a breathtaking whirlwind of a finish the last pair had put on an unbroken 52 in 39 balls.

Fielding

Catches -

J Overton - 2

Yates, C Overton, Cummins -1

Devon won by 1 wicket