The sides six game unbeaten run came to an end in an exciting game at Ryde when the eventual festival champions, Buckinghamshire, won off the penultimate ball. The sun was back and Buckinghamshire won the toss and invited Devon to bat. Thirty-five were added for the first two wickets as both openers fell at this score, Fletcher stumped for fourth time at county level this summer and Bess was caught for his highest score of the week, 24, Gareth Tidball, now recovered, and Robbie Debenham put on 44 in 83 balls when Debenham was caught for the sides top score of 33. The under 17 pairing of Tidball and Tom Whittle put on 22 off 34 when Tidball was again caught for a 62 ball 28. The side were now 101 for 4 after 34 overs and the finishers would again have to ensure an increase in tempo. It has been difficult to take the right line in 2006 where the batters, with 2007 in mind, have been allowed to build up totals and on most occasions the skill of the lower order have ensured a profitable acceleration. On this occasion this did not quite work out with Whittle and James Parkin putting on 34 off 35, Parkin and Smith partnership was worth 6 off 17, Smith and Buzza putting on 38 in 30 and Smith and Acton an unbeaten 12 off 14 with only nine coming off the last twelve deliveries. Smith was not out for a thirty-three ball 28. The final score of 191-7 was most certainly thirty short. Although the rate might not have been sufficient in this game the sides record over the season has been more than adequate and does bode well for 2007 when one considers that eight members of the squad have already played for the seventeen’s and all have learnt and achieved a great deal.

It is a great tribute to the side that this total was only passed on the two hundredth and ninety-eighth ball. Buckingham ran really well and created the impression that they were well ahead of the clock and at the half way stage were well placed at 83 -4 with Tidball catching Walker off Harris at 16, Whittle assisting Orchard to send back Khan, the same bowler bowled Kilgannen at 81 and one run later Bess took an exceptional one handed caught and bowled to remove one of the opponents top batters - Myatt. Meanwhile the opposition’s captain, Haddock was in fine form and with Gandam put on 73 off 110 balls. The pressure running resulted in some poor fielding but perhaps the critical moment of the innings was when a very alert cricket brain decided on a very high risk strategy and it only failed in its execution. Instead of running out the lesser partner he went for the main man Haddock and narrowly failed, this with a missed chance the following over virtually sealed the side’s fate.  In the forty-second over Haddock was caught by Tidball, again off Bess and was Devon now back in the game?

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