A fateful  twenty-seven minute spell when in 21 balls Devon lost five wickets for 11 runs cost the under 16s a victory over Wales in the Inter County Competition. This was particularly disappointing for apart from the catching this had been a generally satisfactory start to the 2006 season. The side responded well to Jack Porter’s first pre match preparation and in overcast conditions new captain Eliot Acton won a useful toss. This was to be the first in an outstanding personal contribution to the game. In his first over and the second of the game the captain had Goddard caught behind by Thompson, in the fifth over the keeper repeated the exercise off the impressive Shane Evenden. Four for two became 119-2 as the two Welsh players from last year’s visit, captain Jenkins and Blackwell, put together what was to transpire to be the match winning partnership. They progressed, not without alarm, giving two and a half chances but they batted with positive intent. Devon’s problems increased as after four imposing overs Orchard retreated from the attack with a back injury and later off spinner Simon Ashplant had to leave the field with a mystery swelling. Blackwell reached his fifty first in 82 balls but became Andy Buzza’s first of two major contribution to the game when Robbie Debenham caught him. Another 32 vital runs were added when Buzza removed Jenkins for a 135 ball 53 leg before. Buzza seemed to loose his way after he had a catch dropped. Debenham took his second catch, this time off the captain, to end Inward’s contribution to the game and Devon started pegging their opponents back. It was 170-6 as James Fletcher caught Evans and 188-8 as Acton took two in two bowling keeper Jenkins and repeating the exercise with Jones the victim. His 5-40 were exceptional figures and with perhaps one more leg side fielder he could have reduced the runs against tally. Devon took one more wicket when Helmich was run out and Wales finished on 197-9. Successful sides take the majority of their chances and although five catches were taken at least another five were not which is not the percentage needed if matches are to be won. It was good to watch the positive approach of openers Fletcher and Gareth Tidball as they put on 24. Fletcher was caught by a juggling slip and the under 15 captain Luke Bess, fresh from a brilliant 80 against Warwickshire, entered the affray. At 43 Tidball was caught and at 56 James Parkin was the first of two totally unnecessary and possibly match losing run outs. Bess was in good nick and was fully justifying his West of England selection, as Evenden had done earlier. With Debenham 44 were added and control slowly restored and then the wheels departed from the chassis and the character of the side was to be fully tested. On 100 Luke Bess, seven short of a deserved fifty, was the second schoolboy run out of the day. The sides three and four both run out!             Next