The film had ended late the previous night and the mini-bus, minus a DJ, returned in heavy rain. Thursday dawned with sunshine and blueish sky but the walk to purchase the pre nine car park tickets revealed some ominously large puddles. Mobiles were in constant use as results were checked, all seemed to be going well with Alex Carr the star. For the second time since the rain at Axminster the previous summer Hickey had got it wrong, this was the only occasion on one of his better days. It appeared everyone was satisfied though perhaps it was not necessary to learn the results of a complete year group at Taunton!!. We drove through Shanklin, our previous base, on our way to one of Devon’s favourites grounds - Ventnor, in the knowledge that the well appointed bowl shaped ground had covers and if there was a chance of playing on the Island this was the ground that play would take place. For about the eleventh visit to this ground the wrong turning was taken towards the Botanical gardens but this time was better concealed. On passing the ground it was clearly evident that much work was being undertaken on the square with covers removed and roller and manpower working overtime. Hickey won the toss and Devon batted, Matt Thompson was restored as opener and Luke Tuckett made marshal for the day. Forty-eight were added in nine overs when Will Gater received a half volley and gave cover an easy catch. That much overused and indeed exasperating expression that a half volley is a half volley came into use. Not one of crickets greatest expressions as every half volley is different. This one was new bowlers Hughes first delivery and Gater would have no idea what the bowler was trying to achieve. In this case he was an out swing bowler who actually bowled a reasonable spell of swing bowling, conceding 3.33 an over and taking the important scalp of Gater. More on half volleys later but the message has to be always look at a new bowler. Gater had scored 29 off 23 balls and it was evident that his technique and approach was ideally suited to opening in a one day game, all he needs to add is……….. Matt Thompson committed another cardinal sin as just two runs later he was walking up the slope having been caught off Irving. As so often this summer it was all Dartington for the next eighty minutes and one hundred and thirty-eight balls as the best third wicket partnership of the summer was added.  With the score advanced by 108 runs, in the thirty-third over Ryan Stevenson was caught for another vital contribution. Marshall Tuckett came in with the side well set and the captain in commanding form on 64. No Devon batsman has scored a ton at Ventnor, Neil Bettiss reached 99 and his comment on returning to the old pavilion still haunts. That all changed on the 21st August 2008. Tuckett and Hickey equalled the best fourth wicket partnership of 2008 when they put on 69 in 41 minutes as the captain advanced to another excellent hundred. All his previous centuries were recalled on the balcony and this one was achieved in one hundred and eight balls and he added two more to his collection of sixes and he struck eight fours. His partner did not give him a chance to tee off as his well hit straight drive was deflected on to the non strikers end stumps by bowler, Harvey, for Hickey to be unfortunately run out. Tuckett took his new role seriously as another thirty were added in the company of Lenygon when the Ipplepen all rounder was leg before for a 55 ball 44. Good job done. Steve Lewis scored his first county run on his first ball but was caught on his third, Lenygon and Parkin took Devon up to a slightly above par score of 263.

 This was a similar situation to the Wales game earlier in the summer, albeit on a smaller ground but one that can be difficult to defend so it would be interesting to see how the side responded. The required rate was 5.26 and Lincolnshire scored at 3.00 for the first ten losing Neal caught behind off Hickey in the eleventh, by twenty our opponents were scoring at 3.3 and lost their second wicket in the twenty-third when Thompson did his stuff again with a stumping off Peter Steer with the score on 76. At the halfway stage they were 88 (3.52) and two overs later they were 91-3 when Carr had Evison caught by Field for a thirty-two minute 7. The only cloud was the performance of Osmond who was batting with consummate ease and picking up runs with little difficulty. He passed his fifty in seventy-nine minutes and off only 59 balls and looked a good cricketer. With Monson, an appropriate name this summer, the highest partnership of the innings was put on – 58 in only thirty-six minutes as for the first time the game was getting away from Devon. In the thirty-seventh over Field bought the wicket of Monson with 114 needed off 72, normally a difficult ask but Osmand’s presence did put a slightly different complexion on it all. Gater had opened both the batting and bowling in this game and he returned to the attack to bowl the forty-second over. His first ball to Pursehouse was a half volley that ended up in the safe hands of Debenham, the season’s outstanding fielder, at cover. The point is the batter had no idea of Gater's pace or bounce or swing or anything but went after a half volley, well a half volley is a…….. Huge lesson for everyone, there is no problem whatsoever with despatching poor balls but always try and find out what you are dealing with. The score at the end of Gater’s first over back was 173-5, the rate now 11 and the pressure would finally tell despite another late flourish. Nine balls later having just been despatched for a six Hickey, down hill, took the prized wicket of Osmond with a stunning right handed catch in his follow through. Osmond had looked a very good, compact, batsman particularly good on the back foot, working. He had scored 82 off 93 balls with the one six and nine fours. He had single-handedly kept his side in the game, a top knock. It was clearly the captain’s day when two runs later a brilliant stop and throw to Thompson ran out Day. Three wickets had been lost in three overs and with six to go, three wickets in hand and 80 to win there was nothing to lose for our opponents so Harvey and Hughes just went for it. They put on 27 off 15 when the captain took his third bowling Hughes and this was followed by an undefeated 17 being scored off the last twenty-two balls leaving Lincolnshire 37 short. The captain’s performance had been amazing and he had carried his side with him when the chase was in full swing, another good result.Buckinghamshire had been experiencing some problems getting games in during the week and Northwood, our venue for tomorrow, was already doubtful so negotiations were undertaken for Ventnor to again host the two of us the following day. This was ultimately agreed and therefore Ventnor was left, on results Thursday, in very good spirit with the covers in place for the following day and a second strip being prepared just in case. As with GKN, Ventnor had been incredibly helpful and were doing everything in their power to ensure that cricket would be played on a day with actually a better forecast. 

Initially we had to share our self-contained room at the Fighting Cocks but hopefully our last get together was enjoyable. Hickey confirmed his wide range of abilities and Carousel is an outstanding choice.