We said our goodbyes and thanks and apologised for the broken chair that had nearly sent a young cleaner to hospital as it collapsed under her. We wished Jeff a happy time in Peru, a card was to confirm that he did and we left for the traditional early last day start. Friday was the best day of the week, indeed the best day for some time, sunshine and blue sky. It had rained overnight but a rogue shower shed its load over of all places – Ventnor. The ground was again reached with real confidence but long faces greeted us. The problem was the bowlers run ups and despite the home groundsman’s magic touch utilising the centre of his grass cuttings pile, a fork and bucket there was no chance of starting on time. The groundsman then went off to officiate in his other guise a funeral and an early lunch was planned. The annual throwing competition did not reach the great heights of 2007 when tractors and indeed grounds were cleared but those two great friends(!) little and large won it. Gater and Thompson who were to again open the batting out threw everyone in a close competition. Devon were concluding the Festival in a similar manner to the way they started taking on a young Buckinghamshire – the Cygnets – who had filled in following Herefordshire’s withdrawal. They were predominenlty under 15s lead by an under 17 Patel. This should again have been an easier fixture. Disappointing Devon decided to put on their worst performance of the summer. Play started at 1.30pm, three hours late, and the game had been reduced to twenty-five overs, well at least our opponents utilised their quota if Devon did not. Devon were inserted and it was carnage for eight overs as William Gater destroyed the oppositions attack with what might well be the quickest ever county youth fifty. He struck three sixes and six fours in a sublime piece of batting, timing the ball to perfection and lifting the ball in the air off his legs as well as the best. His fifty came off only thirty balls as he and Thompson put on 73. Then when he had the quickest hundred in his sights something must have happened in his head as it was obvious to all that he would not last much longer. The clue, an arrogant ostentatious Pieterson style reverse slog which he missed. The answer to the question, after he was out next ball giving a simple catch, as to how many times he had practised the shot in the nets gave a clear indication of why he did not bat on - was never. Gater and Thompson had at least given their side a reasonable base, in view of the standard of the oppositions young attack, they both should have batted the twenty-five. Thompson did it for the second day running, the rule is the not out batter bats on at a fall of a wicket, five runs later he was bowled for a twenty-three ball 20. The batting order had been fairly flexible at the top of the order as it had been decided to retain Ryan Stevenson’s hitting power until later, in case Gater had not fired, so the captain came in at three and Stevenson at four. The hundred was reached in fourteen overs and a big final product looked on the cards when the self destruct button was pushed. On 107 Stevenson was run out, Parkin was bowled third ball, the captain, whose apology clearly showed he knew he had to bat through, was bowled at 115 for a 32 that he should have doubled, Steve Lewis then just took off after scoring three off four to be run out by the country mile, No runs later Field was run out without facing when the fuse blew. This game should have been the culmination of all the winter and summer work together but we looked simply dreadful. Luke Tuckett, who was also keeping in the game, was at least trying to hold it all together as Ingham was bowled for  the third duck against the cygnets and at 122-8 with still thirty-seven balls remaining, this was demob happy going mad. Tuckett and Peter Steer tried to last the overs when after putting on an acceptable 29 off thirty-two balls Tuckett was stumped! Steer was last out with two balls remaining  having earlier hit two fours off successive balls and batting for thirteen balls was caught leaving Debenham undefeated for a one ball 1. 

The captain handled the turn around, it was now time for them to stand on their own two feet, with obvious good effect as they reduced their young opponents to 88-5 by the twenty third over with Steve Lewis picking up some valuable fantasy points with a run out to Ingham, Jonathan Debenham picked up three cheap wickets in a good seven over spell and Stevenson took a catch off Alex Carr. The final thirteen balls conceded sixteen runs as Field extracted some revenge for some previous harsh treatment going for 21 off two, bowled Buckland in the final over. Devon ended as deserved champions however after this performance there is obviously still much work needed to create a team to play possible both one day and two day cricket in 2008. It is reassuring that a large portion of talent remained on the mainland to so nearly pick up the national title. Time for a proper review in November. Now with DJ’s in place for the remainder of the trip, we parked up at Northwood to this year’s anthem – the World’s Greatest which in view of some of the egos in the side was not a surprise.  It was however good to see the side pick up the shield from the Islands MP as a most satisfactory conclusion to one of the stranger seasons at this level. The seven pm ferry was missed, despite the annual cross country rush, the seven thirty did not get into second as there was a blockage at the Lymington end but the weather on the final day and crossing reminded us of what summer used to be like. The final visit of the summer to the Dorchester McDonalds brought recognition from the staff and was far happier than the first and the Moto Services were entered with the side in full voice confirming that they think they are the worlds greatest, well that is how it should be, the current CDM’s anthem was Queens – We are the Champions, nothing changes.