Thanks to a very sporting initiative from our opponents, Somerset, this proposed two day game came to a premature end at 6.21pm on the first day, twenty-one minutes after the designated closure. The predicted storm force winds and two inches of rain duly arrived overnight and at least from the home side’s point of view a satisfactory result was achieved as first innings spoils were taken. The next morning Axminister’s new ground was partially flooded. With the unacceptable loss of his lucky two pound coin Luke Bess lost the toss and Somerset batted. James Burke was an early casualty with a knotted side strain and with other games of more importance on the horizon he was rapidly dispatched home. His subsequent visit to his physio and the encouraging report enlightened the day for the seventeen’s impeding title decider, when two and a half of his colleagues fell by the wayside. Although it was good to see the half, Mark Gilmour, encouraging his Isle of Wight colleagues at the ground all totally disbelieving his exaggerated tale about coming off a bike at 50mph, he probably just tripped over a step but certainly his looks have improved. Adam Dibble opened from the pavilion end to be confronted by Somerset’s latest under 15 international, Hugh Thomas and an opening bowler collaborator in Eggbear. Dibble embarked on one of his more expensive spells as nine of his twelve overs in the day were maidens and he conceded five runs off just three of his seventy-two deliveries. Shane Evenden took over from Burke but it was the Sidmouth seamer who broke the opening partnership at 16 when he trapped Eggbear on the back foot with one that kept low. After another ten runs the international was on his way back well held by the diving Thompson of Evenden. A. run later Sam Smith held a neat catch at second slip two handed above his head to give Shane his second wicket. The fourth wicket pairing of Davis and the talented Spurway put on 67 taking their side up to lunch. The Exeter City left arm spinner Chris Metters had now commenced a twenty-five over spell only interrupted by lunch. It was heard at lunch that his talents were limited to darts and he would be soon sorted. His final figures, the fifth best return in Devon under 16 history, of 6-36 rather tell a different story. His first six overs were maidens and after ten he had conceded less than a run an over. Third ball after lunch he took out the main man – Spurway, who he bowled around his legs, three runs later Evenden dived full length (about 6’6”) to catch Davis an inch off the ground at slip, another marvelous catch in this summer of really top ones. On the same score Metters bowled Walker. At this stage his figures were 3-13 off fourteen. His fields became increasingly more attacking, Smith looking a natural bat pad, and at 108 Evenden took his second slip catch off the South Devon spinner. His fifth wicket came in the fifty-eighth over and his twentieth when he bowled keeper Barnes. In his twenty-third over he trapped Carpenter on the full in front. Metters, obviously aware that a seventh (!!!!!) would take him into uncharted areas in the record books when he bungled a run out but with the ball ending in unfilled gaps in the field it was not to be his destiny to take the highest number of wickets in an innings – this was very disappointing as he bowled an inspired spell and gave an clear indication what an asset, not least his ability to bowl an over in less than a minute, he will be in the two day game in 2008 with both bat and ball. He had been well supported at the pavilion end by Dent, Williams, Carr and Shergold. Evenden took over at the town end and first ball found the edge of Stuckes and Thompson had one of his easier chances. Cornish, had put up good resistance batting eleven minutes over the hour for his side’s top score of 33. Somerset was all out in their seventieth over for 151. The over rate of nearly 22 was excellent as was the fact that nearly fifty percent of the overs bowled were maidens. Again extras were high, third highest score.

With the weather forecast for the second day typical of 2007 rather than 1976 the side had thirty-two overs to take a moral victory out of the game. Bess and Justin Williams navigated to tea, 24-0 off nine when the idea was generously floated by our opponents that in view of the fact that it was unlikely the game would enter the second day that we should be given the chance of surpassing their total. Proposal was accepted with thanks as Bess gave Spurway the first of his three catches – two out of the top drawer. Williams and Harry Stephenson enhanced their reputations in putting on 24 when both succumbed to the left hand chinaman Linott in identical fashion leg before. The two batsman had appeared well set and will be expected to bat on in the future. Smith and Metters took the game away from their opponents with a partnership of 69 off 90 balls when Metters broke his successful run by thinking he had struck the ball past Spurway but too his obvious frustration failed. Evenden lasted only nine balls before giving the easiest of the three catches. It was now a question of whether Smith could achieve a personal milestone but he ended up undefeated on 49 off 40 balls. He would of course have batted on the next morning to score his first county ton. Shergold continued to impress and the football could commence. Devon had achieved their target in an additional ten overs on top of the day’s quota – 42. With Jack Porter en route to Durham Andrew Buzza filled his shoes most competently but should perhaps chose the moment when to make his views known on the ability of our opponents, who had, graciously, ensured that the game had been a worthwhile venture, with more subtlety. This was a particularly useful get together with a week on the Island now very close.