Overnight rain, shower proofs now added to the hoodies and fleeces and we travel to Newport for the first time since 2002 when Nick Watkin’s Devon beat Essex. Mobiles were in early use, Smith saved the manager a fiver with his A*s but it was fortunate that Hickey had been left on the mainland to lead the fifteens as he had straight A*s! Hertfordshire, the second side this week we will be playing in the two day competition in 2008, won the toss and batted. A brave decision as it is likely that some of their batters might be of a similar mind to some Devonians who did not take an instant liking to another green one. Both sides would benefit from reading Clive Radley's article in the October Cricketer - Winning on wet ones. Again the early wicket was not the result of a break though from the opening attack but another run out. With thirty-three having been put on in sixteen the captain turned to his spinners Gilmour and Metters. Having failed with the coin Dibble demonstrated what an asset he is as a scout. He has to learn to hide his arm until it matters but this one mattered and he beat Chatfield’s attempt at a second from the longest boundary with the help of Smith’s fast hands now fully back in business. The spinners were outstanding as they bowled 30 overs conceding less than two and a half an over, taking three wickets and turning the screw. Bess took a sharp catch under the helmet but then took a battering; his sense eventually overcame his bravery as he removed himself to the inner ring to an ironic round of applause from the opposition. He did decide long term to restrict his helmet use to his batting in future. Jack Dent took another neat catch; Gilmour won a leg before with his alternative delivery and at 40 overs Devon were in total control of the game at 98-4. However Small and Southgate were disproving any adverse thoughts on a green track and took the score up to 124 with six left when Smith entered the stumpings column with a neat one off Alex Carr. The captain, Small, departed in a very disappointed manner as he was leaving 35 balls to others. Southgate and Ray put on 49 with memories of the under 15s final over against Warwickshire at Sandford the previous summer coming flooding back. The side should have been extremely disappointed at the final product of 173 but Hertfordshire had clearly demonstrated the importance of being able to finish an innings. Having manfully looked after the scoreboard all afternoon there was a minor furore when the opposition’s coach decided it was not up to his standard and took over for a ball!

It was hoped that the openers would now beat their previous best but fifteen balls into the innings Devon were really up against it at 3-2, Bess caught off the impressive Lidgett and Burke caught at slip. It was critical that Devon regrouped as Thompson and Metters proceeded to put on the highest partnership of the summer – 132. They complemented each other perfectly batting for nearly 40 overs and two hours ten. The highest ever third wicket partnership of 174 had been set the previous summer by James Fletcher and Robbie Debenham at nearby Northwood. This would be the fifth best but would it win a vital game.  At forty-two overs with the score on 133 the batters were faced with a quandary. They had done the hard work but were now confronted with a target of scoring forty off forty-eight legal deliveries with large boundaries, defensive field, actual boundaries at a premium and the Herts opening bowler, Lidgett, back in the attack to bowl through. Two runs were added when critically Chris Metters was out caught off Lidgett. It was critical as Chris was very well set, past his fifty and his versatility with the bat should have ensured the target was met. He had demonstrated throughout the summer that he will have a key role to play in Devon cricket for a number of years to come and it was unfortunate that he was unable to accept the call up the following week to play for the twenty-ones at Wiltshire. His tally of six fours equalled the highest number of boundaries in the game. Thompson then should have batted through to the end, but four runs later after facing 104 balls and being at the crease for over two and a half hours he was bowled five short of a very deserved fifty. This summer he has played a vital batting role and next summer, when it is anticipated he will gain a little more strength, his batting will be even more central to both sides. This said Devon now had two new batters at the crease on a wicket that needed some acclimatisation. Smith decided to charge and sweep creating blood pressure problems on the rope, lasted twelve charges and was bowled, 146-5, thirty-three balls to score twenty-eight with five wickets remaining – in the current conditions very very tight. It got worse Shane Evenden was bowled at 153 but Stephenson and Gilmour took the score up to 165 in the forty-seventh, Gilmour hitting a very rare commodity a four before being stumped, Dibble lasted four balls, Torquay now a distant memory, 165- 8 the last over on us, Lidgett (4-32 and under 3 an over) to bowl it, eight to tie, nine to win, Shergold, in what must be his most nerve racking moment to date in his county career, on strike takes a single, dot ball, eight off four, the players are told to loose graciously and to await a huge cheer from a large Hertfordshire travelling army, Lidgett bowls a low full toss and Stephenson plays the shot of the season as he despatches it head high over the square leg boundary, the noise erupts from an unexpected part of the ground. Dot ball, Stephenson is caught trying to win the game. He had demonstrated how to finish an innings he had pushed and run and his ten off ten fantastic. He had been involved in a slight confrontation over a disputed four or two just before batting so we now know how to fire him up. Shergold now on strike with slightly stained brown and white trousers, Jack Dent at the non strikers end our last batsman. Two or three needed, last ball of a very tight game of cricket. Shergold then plays the second best shot of the season as he strokes a four that beats the one stopping field, now the noise really did erupt. Every year the importance of the TEAM is emphasized and how unsung heroes often turn games with a blinding catch or wonderful run out, today two important unsung team players, Stephenson and Shergold, won the best game of the season. Towels were shared by Barry Stephenson and Chris Metters, what a game but only four points- who cares, we might the next day. Hertfordshire lost very graciously and promised to do their best the next day when they were playing Buckinghamshire, which they did. A sad goodbye to Thommo and real hopes that his team could beat Cheshire and advance to the final. Bring on the football. The Fighting Cocks provided the right environment for the end of season meal, the coach stood in for the silent manager and Bess continued to pick up brownie points, being very eloquent. The Best of the West basket was a most original idea and one that will be enjoyed over the winter.