Having spent three days with two totally committed squads it was a slight shock to the system to watch the sixteen’s prepare for their game with Haberdashers. It was obvious that some were working very hard and equally obvious that some could not wait for it to finish. This will necessitate a major revision in the plans for the season as either a player really wants to be playing for the county or is it a pleasant way of spending a summer day. The latter can be achieved on the beach without breaking into a sweat. This laid back attitude was evident throughout the friendly (this year most certainly a euphemism) when Devon came decidedly second against the unbeaten Haberdashers’ Aske’s. Eliot Acton won the toss and the inform Luke Bess (100 against Dorset) and Gareth Tidball (50 against Wiltshire 17s) took the field to start the ball rolling in the quest for 220 plus. They were faced with a Middlesex opening bowler in Baker who built up a reasonable pace to test both batters. After nine overs at two an over Tidball played too early and gave his second caught and bowled of the week. Four runs later Bess departed and after another two runs Joe Webb was back in the pavilion. Debutant Harry Geering then showed how important county cricket can be to some by doggedly weathering the storm and in the company of Oliver Pyne started to rebuild. They put on the highest partnership of the innings - 59 in twenty overs. The friendly got a little out of hand with a heated bump ball discussion and it is recommended that everyone re-reads the code of conduct to ensure there are no misunderstandings in future. Drinks enabled the matter to subside. It was obvious that Geering felt that it was time to accelerate and his enthusiasm overtook him as he was stumped for a 56 ball 29. Geering's approach throughout the winter and this game was refreshing – he wanted to be in the side and did not take his place for granted as some obviously do. Pyne’s contribution was equally valuable and he faced 70 balls for his 32. He was bowled at 88 and the predicted scores looked extremely optimistic. With Robbie Debenham and Sam Smith at the wicket the pattern of the game was likely to be decided. They took the score up to 139 after 41 overs, the 51 runs useful but with 55 balls and 5 wickets remaining not enough. Debenham, having hit two sixes in his 22 balls advanced down the pitch to the glee of keeper Cook and bowler Clements for 19, his second dismissal of the season on this score. Smith was playing a typical innings and got out in a typical way – caught. His 35 came off 40 balls and was sheer energy and class. However the time at county level has come when the huge undoubted ability has to transfer from cameos to hundreds.
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