As this most enjoyable series of matches entered its second decade Devon came out winners for a fifth time as both sides enjoyed magnificent weather and the outstanding hospitality of Axminster Cricket Club and an independent retailer of ice cream. Having lost the cloud cover and perishing wind of two days earlier Axminster looked a picture as Joe Smith won the toss enabling at least his batters to put in hand the first phase of the game plan. If this were to be achieved it would be necessary to have more than the two partnerships over 35 that were completed against Wales. It started well with captain and vice captain putting on 60 in ten overs. The leadership pair had their first open disagreement of the season as Smith was run out by Gray for 19 – partnership one. The hero of Wednesday Dan Hardy strode to the wicket and again looked in good form but the second wicket pairing did not get a tick as they only put on 13 when Chappell was caught for the second time in the week and the third time this season in the sight of this writer. Partnership three did get their tick as debutant Chris Lock took his time in adjusting and put on 46 off 56 balls with Hardy when Lock, beginning to look settled, played a shot straight out of the P & D League and was bowled for 25 off 34 balls when he should have been looking to get a maiden 50. The young Bradninch groundsmen then decided he did not want to outscore his wicket –keeper colleague, and seven balls later was caught – partnership 4 nil runs and one of the bigger crosses - we do not lose wickets in pairs – pre season key point 16. Two new batsmen at the crease both left handers and both having batted in the top three in the premier this season – omens good , they look good and add precisely 31 taking the side up to 150 off 206 balls in 121 minutes. Was this sufficient from this talent duo – most definitely not. They have to look to bat out the remainder of the innings, we are not looking to give the lower order batting practice, they are in such good nick at the moment they do not need it. Wrench got his pads in the way this time and another cross in the box – current situation two ticks and three crosses – not the correct ratio. What would the sixth wicket yield, Carroll back from his festival along with inquisitive brother in tow provided with man in form Seb Benton the second highest partnership of the innings – 53 off 50 balls better but still they should have batted on. Fortunately States bound Benton was batting on and it looked at least he would leave the country with a century, although it was hot and he was visibly tiring but a ton is a ton. With Devon now approaching the two fifty and Benton well past a personal fifty off 49 balls he was out, having hit ten fours and two sixes facing only 62 balls for his 75, he had given only one chance. Added to his superb all round effort against Wales in normal circumstances he would have gained immediate promotion to the 17s.                                            Next