At the third time of asking the under 16s embarked on a two dayer with Somerset – two years ago the 21s needed the ground on the first day to play Sussex in the national quarter finals and last year two days solid rain put an end to any hope of a game – indeed it coincided with the horrendous Boscastle disaster. With weekend rain affecting the track Devon were in two minds but on winning the toss batted. Vice captain Gary Chappell went for a duck with 4 on the board and his club mate Dan Hardy went a run later. Joe Smith and David Wrench took it up to 33 when Fear bowled Smith. David Wrench who has had an outstanding Premier season and fresh from a 69 against Sandford and a 93 the previous day looked back to his county best as he and fellow left hander, Seb Benton, back from his visit across the Atlantic put on 25 when spinner Lye bowled Wrench with his first delivery. The younger Smith – Sam and Benton took the side to lunch with neither playing for the interval as they clouted 14 just before the break. 105-4 after 37 was a reasonable recovery but it was now necessary to build on it. Smith was batting well and was perhaps the one unlucky batsman in the innings as he was adjudged leg before at 119. The pair had put on 61 vital runs off 107 balls. Sadly Seward was caught behind one run later and the home side were back in trouble. It got worse as one of the seasons key batters Benton fell two runs later leaving Devon in a mess at 122-7. Fortunately dead leg Danny Carroll and Harry McDowell put on the second highest partnership of the innings - 60 off 95 balls when Carroll was caught for a top score of 38. Acton was bowled first ball and Robinson on his twelfth leaving McDowell undefeated on 24 after an hour at the crease. As a first effort at two day batting this was a disappointment the side only occupied 66 overs with five batters batting for at least an hour but not batting on. The objective of the game is to give an insight into the two day game and lessons will have been learnt for 2006. Todd and Fear did not bat for tea either as they stroked 23 off the four overs. The Fear factor was removed in the fourth over after tea and Chappell’s second as he swept, got a top edge and was caught behind at 34. Todd and Campbell put on 32 when an outstanding catch by Seward off Chappell removed the number 3 Chappell’s figures at this stage were impressive 7-5-2-2.  He continued in this economical mode as Somerset advanced to 120-2 after 43 overs at close of play. Devon had also been 120 after 43 overs but had lost 6 wickets. Chappell finished the day with the excellent figures of 18-9-19-2 with just 12 balls scored off. He has had an outstanding season at 16s and 17s with the ball and hopefully at the Isle of Wight Festival he will also make an important contribution with the bat.

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