For the first time in three years Devon actually played on the Monday of the Isle of Wight Festival and this was despite heavy overnight rain. On arriving at the Northwood Ground there was the reassuring sight of a covered strip and a water hog at work. The IOW Cricket Board have provided all grounds with covers this year and hogs are transported to the grounds. The game started only twenty-two minutes with Oxfordshire winning the toss and inserting. Devon lost two quick wickets but a record third wicket partnership turned the whole game around. Bess was caught and bowled at 7 and eight runs later Tidball was caught in the thirteenth over. Then over the next twenty-eight overs 174 were added by James Fletcher and Robbie Debenham. The stand broke the previous record of 159* completed in 2000 by the Sandford pairing of Neil Bettiss and James Gibson – who on returning this week from his trip to New Zealand and Australia had sent best wishes to the squad. They batted 102 minutes facing 167 deliverers, having hit a six and thirteen fours and for the second time this season Debenham was caught on 80, well it was better than 19 his previous brace. With nine overs left Fletcher was in unexplored territory as he could not recall being in at the death before. He was on 85 when Debenham was dismissed and reached his second county century of the season in 144 balls and then just teed off, the unfortunate Strong was taken for 20 off an over. Tom Whittle was joining in the mayhem in a partnership of 72 off 41 balls in 29 minutes. Whittle was caught for a twenty ball 32 (4 fours, 2 sixes). Fletcher and Smith were both lost at 267 when Fletchers 156 ball innings came to an end at 124, thirty-five short of his county best. The score was taken up to four runs short of three hundred by Acton and Buzza. Once again a sedate start (52 off twenty) was converted into the fifth highest score at this level.

Oxfordshire were never in the hunt losing six for 60, seven for 87 and were eventually dismissed in the thirty-eighth over for 141. Matt Thomson stretched at mid wicket to take the first wicket at 9 off Harris; Shane Evenden was as impressive as ever taking 3-24 assisted by a brilliant diving catch at slip from Debenham and catches from Buzza and the keeper Smith. Acton took 2-22 with Smith adding to his growing tally behind the stumps with two more catches. Debenham held an outfield catch off Orchard, Buzza went for double points with a caught and bowled and Cooper was trapped in front by Debenham. Having a closer look at the side than normal, from square leg, for much of the game it really was a very impressive all round performance. Despite and early finish we were late back to the Hazelwood.

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