(2) At the start of the day looking at the hundreds or runs conceded at Exmouth Devon should have been exceedingly happy and Cornwall bitterly disappointed but satisfied after being 43-4. Devon would now have to play to their 2005 strength – their batting – however this was the first time they had batted second. All started well but at 31 Smith walked past one to be stumped, fifteen runs later the first of two critical runs out took place as Chappell was stranded. Both openers had looked competent but this side needs large opening partnerships and hopefully they are in the locker for the remaining six games. Hardy overcame the pressure of being involved in the run out and demonstrated what a class act he has become with both bat and gloves. Wrench looked to be in Premier mode as opposed to his current age group form and the omens were good. However Wrench was again caught flicking and getting a leading edge and Devon were on the back foot at 66-3. Danny Carroll played a cameo and in hindsight had he batted longer it would have made the later overs easier. Thirty-four minutes of the in form Carroll was just not enough as he gave Angrove a catch. Smeeth who was containing was removed from the attack to come back later when the charge would be in full flow. Lock came and went the second run out victim. This did have an effect on Hardy and for a time Devon struggled to keep up with the rate from 125-5 after 33 overs Devon needed 103 off 17 at just over 6. The side were then in an identical position to the 17s the previous day needing 100 off 15. Twenty –two were added for the sixth when in Smeeth’s last over Devon lost two wickets – it is vital that batsmen are alert to all the situations and the big disappointment in Hardy’s innings was that he played his first rash shot with lesser bowling still to come. He for the second time this season should have reached a hundred, he fell 21 short have batted beautifully for 109 balls hitting nine fours and his role was to bat through to the final over. He will learn but we want to see a ton in 2005 as well as a couple in 2006. On Smeeth's last ball Boardman fell in identical fashion to his captain. The bowlers or to be more polite the all rounders did their best with Joel Seward and Eliot Acton leading the way with some excellent running including a three from McDowell and Robinson when the ball was virtually in the bowler’s hand. Irrespective of whether Devon would have qualified on wickets taken Devon should have won this game against without doubt a fine Cornwall squad as 227 at Exmouth with not the largest boundaries should have been achieved, regrettably many of the If only’s will revolve around half trackers and careless shot selection plus a couple of interesting calls! As always Exmouth were outstanding hosts

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