Waking at 5.00am it was depressingly overcast with misty wet rain – totally against the forecast for the annual two day friendly against Somerset so had Seaton covered the pitch. The answer was no, as the former Somerset Chief Executive made a very early appearance at the ground to get a cover on as the rain persisted past breakfast and the meeting time. It was agreed to have an early lunch and start at twelve thirty. This would be a most important toss to win and the frown on Eliot Acton’s face told it all until it turned into a beaming smile as Somerset batted. Devon then took three quick wickets, Jenkins was well held at slip by Bess off the continuing to impress Shane Evenden, whose first two overs were wicket maidens. Lodwick got an edge another fine back of a length ball with bounce and carry to be caught behind and Smith again repeated the exercise this time at the other end off Harris who had a point to prove after the water incident. The keeper Buttler and the captain Ackland put on the highest partnership of the innings when Acton brought back Evenden who did not concede a run in his second spell with Buzza taking another good slip catch, this was another remarkable performance from the under 15 bowler. Somerset lost their fifth wicket at 86 when Harris held a top one handed caught and bowled to send back the captain six short of his fifty. Wakeley held the third quality slip catch removing Walker off Buzza at 90.  Twenty were added by Alley, the grandson of Bill, and Gibbens when Tidball picked up his first wicket of the season trapping Alley in front. Green was caught and bowled by Acton at 125; Smith then took his third and fourth catches both off Harris taking out Gibbens at 147 and Neal at 152. An exceptional performance in conditions that helped the fielding side with the only real disappointment perhaps being the inner ring conceding two many singles The response from the home side would be interesting. They had 32 overs to bat and were in some difficulties at close of play - 92-6 with some of the best seam bowling faced by the Devon batters particularly the spell from Lodwick. James Fletcher was bowled by Neal at 14 and James Parkin fell at the same score caught in the slip cordon off England bowling prospect Nick Gibbens who was having problems with no balls. Bess was another victim of a brilliant slip catch, so much for my theory, as Ackland held him at third slip - 20-3 not good. Tidball and Whittle applied their under 17 experiences and put on 23 when leg spinner Davies entered the attack. He is a bowler who gives the ball a lot of air and Whittles eyes must have lit up as his first ball encouraged him to drive him on the up – all he actually achieved was to give the now single slip, Lodwick, a catch.

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